## **Trustees’ Annual Report for the period** ## **From 01/01/2022 Period start date To 31/12/2022 Period end date** ## **Charity name: The Links Group** ## **Charity registration number: 1196067** ## **Objectives and Activities** ||SORP reference|| |---|---|---| |Summary of the purposes of
the charity as set out in its
governing document|Para 1.17|The Links Group promotes the education of
the link between the abuse of people and
animals to professionals and the wider UK
population in such ways as the charity
trustees think fit| |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|a.
Provision of education and training to
human and animal health care
professionals;
a.
Provision of advice and guidance to
human and animal health care
professionals;
a.
Promotion of inter-agency working;
a.
Commissioning and publishing research
and adding to collective knowledge and
understanding of the link between the
abuse of people and animals;
b.
Promotion of best practice across the
voluntary, public and private sectors| |Statement confirming
whether the trustees have
had regard to the guidance
issued by the Charity
Commission on public
benefit|Para 1.18|All Trustees have received the following
and will be completing the NCVO’s Charity
Trustee Induction and Refresher Course in
early 2023.

Our Constitution (Governing Document)

CC Trustee Welcome Pack (inc. CC3)

Charity Governance Code

Links Group Trustee Code of Conduct

Links Group Trustee Declaration of
Interests| |**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:|**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|The Links Group is run solely by volunteers
who use their professional knowledge,
experience and expertise to promote the
purposes of the charity and ensure that it
was run and governed effectively| |Other||| ## **Achievements and Performance** ||SORP reference|| |---|---|---| |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.|Para 1.20|**Training**
Veterinary undergraduate training raises
awareness amongst veterinary
undergraduates of the link between abuse
of animals and abuse of people, introducing
the concept that perpetrators of domestic
abuse may deliberately harm an animal as
part of a coercive and controlling
relationship and may lie about how an
animal has sustained injuries.
Course content includes highlighting the
different types of abuse, being aware of the
diagnostic indicators of non-accidental
injury (NAI), what to do if NAI is suspected
or there are concerns about other
vulnerable members of the household,
such as children, reporting, and what do if a
‘disclosure’ is made – from a human victim
of abuse.
We also cover the importance of pet
fostering services for the pets of people
fleeing domestic abuse as this can be a
barrier for a victim to leave an abusive
relationship, fear of what might happen to
the pet if they are left behind.
The impact of this training is that most
veterinary graduates now have an
awareness of the cycle of abuse, the role
that the veterinary team plays in dealing
with cases and the importance of inter-
agency working, whilst recognising that it is
important not to step outside their area of
expertise and are better equipped to deal
with cases. Veterinary undergraduate
training that has taken place at UK
universities in 2022 includes:

Bristol

Edinburgh

Glasgow

Liverpool

Nottingham

Royal Veterinary College (University of
London)

Surrey
These undergraduate talks have been
available since approximately 2003, initially
as an optional ‘extra’ for undergraduates
and now as part of the curriculum. The
training now equates to reaching over 1100
veterinary undergraduates who will join the
veterinary workforce in the next 2 years.| |||Other training that has taken place in 2022
includes:

Edinburgh MSc Applied Animal
Behaviour and Welfare

Faculty of Forensic Law and Medicine
(Part of the Royal College of
Physicians)

BVA Wales branch

MSD bursary day (MSD is a veterinary
pharmaceutical company and key
sponsor of the Links Group)

Veterinary PD; expert witness training

CVS corporate conference (CVS is a
key veterinary corporate with 550
veterinary practices across the UK)
As the undergraduate training has only
been available since 2003, there are many
veterinary surgeons in practice who have
not benefited from this awareness raising.
The Links Group had been supported pre
pandemic by the British Small Animal
Veterinary Association (BSAVA) to run
regional training days for veterinary teams
across the UK. These were halted during
the pandemic, as our training model
contracted and moved online, however
plans were made in 2022 to restart these in
early 2023. This is timely as the Links
Group guidance document for veterinary
teams was extensively reviewed and
relaunched in 2022, making it much more
fitting for the veterinary team.
Alongside this, with a generous grant from
the Margaret Giffen Trust facilitated via the
British Veterinary Association’s charity, The
Animal Welfare Foundation, we have
developed packs for veterinary teams
which include the guidance document and
other resources to support the veterinary
team.
Furthermore, we now have 3 of the key
veterinary corporates as members of the
Group; this gives us great reach to
veterinary practices and the wider
veterinary team. We spoke at the
conference of one of the corporates which
has 550 practices, a significant reach.
**Pet Fostering**
A further key element of the Links Group is
the pet fostering group, made up of
specialist pet fostering organisations. The| |---|---|---| |group has worked hard to develop a key| |---| |Terms of Reference framework that all| |members adhere to in terms of working| |practices. This means that those involved| |are as protected as possible, and also| |gathering data in the same format to allow| |us to evaluate.| |**Governance and charity management**| |Having achieved CIO status in late 2021,| |The Links Group has also reviewed its| |structure in order to make us more| |sustainable as we move forwards,| |particularly with the growing interest in this| |area and request for input to events. In that| |vein we have:| |
Recruited 4 new trustees| |
Initiated a review of our website| |
Developed key workstreams| |Whilst this is very much ‘housekeeping’ it is| |a critical time to do so and will ultimately| |mean that we can increase our reach and| |impact.| ## **Additional information (optional)** You may choose to include further statements where relevant about: |Achievements against
objectives set|Para 1.41|Current priority objectives (progress against
which is summarised above)
1. Develop the Links Group as a
sustainable organisation
2. Deliver one under-grad training course
per year in all UK vet schools
3. Deliver 3 funded LVTI days per year
alongside partner organisations at
different locations across the UK
4. Create a suite of resources and
collateral for vet teams
5. To set appropriate standards for pet
fostering services
6. Establish an overarching and
underpinning marketing and
communications plan| |---|---|---| |Performance of fundraising
activities against objectives
set|Para 1.41|Fundraising plan to be developed in 2023| |Investment performance
against objectives|Para 1.41|N/A| ## **Financial Review** |**Financial Review**||| |---|---|---| |Review of the charity’s
financial position at the end
of the period|Para 1.21|On 31/12/22 The Links Group had a cash
balance of £39,413 held in its named bank
account. This represented an in year
growth in available funds of £12,337
(balance on 01/01/22, £27,076)| |Statement explaining the
policy for holding reserves
stating why they are held|Para 1.22|The charity doesn’t currently hold any
reserves.| |Amount of reserves held|Para 1.22|N/A| |Reasons for holding zero
reserves|Para 1.22|A reserves policy will be developed in 2023| |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|The Trustee Board has no concerns with
the charity’s ability to continue as a going
concern| |**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:|**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)|
Para 1.47|
**Sponsorship**
The Links Group’s m
in the form of sponso
Animal Health to sup
administration and th
undergraduate traini
2022 the charity rece
from this source with
agreed for 2023 and
**Donations**
The charity also rece
one off donation of £
College of Veterinary
**Membership fees**
All other income (£7,
membership fees an|ain income is currently
rship from MSD
port charity
e delivery of veterinary
ng programmes. In
ived £9,990 income
a similar commitment
2024.
ived an unexpected,
4,000 from the Royal
Surgeons.
655) was from
d individual donations| |Investment policy and
objectives including any
social investment policy
adopted|Para 1.46|The charity doesn’t h|old any investments| |A description of the principal
risks facing the charity|Para 1.46|A risk register will be|developed in 2023| |**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:|**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)|
Para 1.47|
**Sponsorship**
The Links Group’s m
in the form of sponso
Animal Health to sup
administration and th
undergraduate traini
2022 the charity rece
from this source with
agreed for 2023 and
**Donations**
The charity also rece
one off donation of £
College of Veterinary
**Membership fees**
All other income (£7,
membership fees an|ain income is currently
rship from MSD
port charity
e delivery of veterinary
ng programmes. In
ived £9,990 income
a similar commitment
2024.
ived an unexpected,
4,000 from the Royal
Surgeons.
655) was from
d individual donations| |Investment policy and
objectives including any
social investment policy
adopted|Para 1.46|The charity doesn’t h|old any investments| |A description of the principal
risks facing the charity|Para 1.46|A risk register will be|developed in 2023| ## **Structure, Governance and Management** |Description of charity’s
trusts:||| |---|---|---| |Type of governing document
(trust deed, royal charter)|Para 1.25|CIO Constitution adopted on 05/10/21| |How is the charity
constituted?
(e.g unincorporated
association, CIO)|Para 1.25|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 recruited through an
externally advertised open application
process followed by an election by
members based on recommendations from
the Board of Trustees| ## **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|
All Trustees receive complete the following
induction

Attend NCVO’s Charity Trustee
Induction and Refresher Course

Read our Constitution (Governing
Document)

Read CC Trustee Welcome Pack (inc.
CC3)

Read Charity Governance Code

Sign Links Group Trustee Code of
Conduct

Sign Links Group Trustee Declaration
of Interests

Signposted to key polices and
procedures (eg Expenses policy and
claim form)

More experienced Trustees provide
mentorship to those joining the Board| |---|---|---| |The charity’s organisational
structure and any wider
network with which the
charity works|Para 1.51|The Trustee Board meets on a regular
basis (roughly monthly) to monitor progress
and agree actions.
Some activity is delegated to sub-
committees most notably the Pet Fostering
Group who oversee their areas of
responsibility and make recommendations
to the board. The board retain
accountability for this activity and decisions| |Relationship with any
related parties|Para 1.51|Several charities and corporate
organisations hold membership of the Links
Group. These include –
**Charity members/partners who provide**
**pet fostering services**
Dogs Trust (also provide registered| address) Cats Protection Refuge for Pets Endeavour **Corporate Members** CVS IVC Vet Partners **Partner organisations** BVA BSAVA Other ## **Reference and Administrative details** |Charity name|The Links Group| |---|---| |Other name the charity uses|| |Registered charity number|9GHF42TR| |Charity’s principal address|The Links Group
c/o Dogs Trust
17 Wakley Street
London
EC1V 7RQ| ||| ## **Names of the charity trustees who manage the charity** |1
2
3
4
5
6
7
8
9
10
11
12
13
14
15
16
17
18
19
20|**Trustee name**|**Office (if any)**|**Dates acted if not for whole**
**year**|**Name of person (or body) entitled**
**to appoint trustee (ifany)**| |---|---|---|---|---| ||Paula Boyden|Chair||| ||Mike Elliott|Treasurer||| ||Vicki Betton|Vice Chair||| ||WendySneddon|Secretary|01/01/22 – 04/11/22|| ||David Martin||04/03/22 –|Co-opted byboard| ||Rebecca Ashman||04/11/22 -|Co-opted byboard| ||Rachel Dalton||04/11/22 -|Co-opted byboard| ||MaryWakeham||04/11/22 -|Co-opted byboard| |||||| |||||| |||||| |||||| |||||| |||||| |||||| |||||| |||||| |||||| |||||| |||||| ## – 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 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 ## **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)** N/A ## **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 trustees’ report above.** **Signed on behalf of the charity’s trustees** **----- Start of picture text -----**
Signature(s)
Full name(s) Paula Boyden Mike Elliott
Position (eg Secretary,
Chair Treasurer
Chair, etc)
Date
05/06/2023
**----- End of picture text -----**
**The Links Group 1196067 Receipts and payments accounts CC16a For the period 1/1/2022 12/31/2022 To from** ## **Section A Receipts and payments** |**Section A Receipts and payments**||||| |---|---|---|---|---| |**A1 Receipts**
Donations
**4,000**
Sponsorship
**9,990**
Membershipsubscriptions
**7,655**
**-**
**-**
**-**
**-**
**-**
**21,645**
**-**
**-**
**_Sub total_ -**
**_Total receipts_ 21,645**
**A3 Payments**
Admin/Office expenditure
**6,484**
Insurance
**127**
Website / IT costs
**447**
Marketing,Design and Print
**2,046**
Volunteer Expenses
**84**
Volunteer Recruitment(inc. Trustees)
**120**
**-**
**-**
**-**
**_Sub total_ 9,308**
**-**
**-**
**_Sub total_ -**
**_Total payments_ 9,308**
**_Net of receipts/(payments)_ 12,337**
**A5 Transfers between funds**
**-**
**A6 Cash funds last year end**
**27,076**
**_Cash funds this year end_ 39,413**
**Unrestricted**
**funds**
**to the nearest £**
**_Sub total_**_(Gross income for AR)_
**A2 Asset and investment sales,**
**(see table).**
**A4 Asset and investment**
**purchases, (see table)**|**to the nearest £**
**-**
**-**
**-**
**-**
**-**
**-**
**-**
**-**
**-**
**-**
**-**
**-**
**-**
**-**
**-**
**-**
**-**
**-**
**-**
**-**
**-**
**-**
**-**
**-**
**-**
**-**
**-**
**-**
**-**
**-**
**-**
**Restricted**
**funds**|**to the nearest £**
**Endowment**
**funds**|**Total funds**
**to the nearest £**
**4,000**
**9,990**
**7,655**
**-**
**-**
**-**
**-**
**-**
**21,645**
**-**
**-**
**-**
**21,645**
**6,484**
**127**
**447**
**2,046**
**84**
**120**
**-**
**-**
**-**
**9,308**
**-**
**-**
**-**
**9,308**
**12,337**
**-**
**27,076**
**39,413**|**Last year**
**to the nearest £**| |||**-**
**-**
**-**
**-**
**-**
**-**
**-**
**-**
**-**|**4,000**|**-**| ||||**9,990**|**-**| ||||**7,655**|**-**| ||||**-**|**-**| ||||**-**|**-**| ||||**-**|**-**| ||||**-**|**-**| ||||**-**|**-**| ||||**21,645**|**-**| |||||| |||**-**
**-**
**-**|**-**|| ||||**-**|**-**| ||||**-**|**-**| |||||| |||**-**|**21,645**|**-**| |||||| |||**-**
**-**
**-**
**-**
**-**
**-**
**-**
**-**
**-**
**-**|**6,484**|**-**| ||||**127**|**-**| ||||**447**|**-**| ||||**2,046**|**-**| ||||**84**|**-**| ||||**120**|**-**| ||||**-**|**-**| ||||**-**|**-**| ||||**-**|**-**| ||||**9,308**|**-**| |||||| |||**-**
**-**
**-**|**-**|| ||||**-**|| ||||**-**|**-**| |||||| |||**-**|**9,308**|**-**| |||||| ||**-**|**-**
**-**
**-**
**-**|**12,337**|**-**| ||**-**||**-**|**-**| ||**-**||**27,076**|**-**| ||**-**||**39,413**|**-**| ## **Section B Statement of assets and liabilities at the end of the period** |**Categories**
**B1 Cash funds**
**B2 Other monetary assets**
**B3 Investment assets**
**B5 Liabilities**
**B4 Assets retained for the**
**charity’s own use**
Signed by one or two trustees on
behalf of all the trustees|**Details**
Bank Account
**Details**
**Details**
**Details**
**Details**
Signature
**_Total cash funds_**
(agree balances with receipts and payments
account(s))|**to nearest £**
**to nearest £**
**39,413**
**-**
**-**
**-**
**-**
**-**
**39,413**
**-**
OK
OK
**to nearest £**
**to nearest £**
**-**
**-**
**-**
**-**
**-**
**-**
**-**
**-**
**-**
**-**
**-**
**-**
**Cost (optional)**
**-**
**-**
**-**
**-**
**-**
**Cost (optional)**
**-**
**-**
**-**
**-**
**-**
**-**
**-**
**-**
**-**
**-**
**-**
**-**
**-**
**-**
Print Name
Mike Elliott(Treasurer)
**Unrestricted**
**funds**
**Restricted**
**funds**
**Unrestricted**
**funds**
**Restricted**
**funds**
**Fund to which**
**asset belongs**
**Fund to which**
**asset belongs**
**Fund to which**
**liability relates**
**Amount due**
**(optional)**|**to nearest £**
**Endowment**
**funds**| |---|---|---|---| ||||**-**| ||||**-**| ||||**-**| ||||**-**| ||||OK| ||||**to nearest £**
**Endowment**
**funds**| ||||**-**| ||||**-**| ||||**-**| ||||**-**| ||||**-**| ||||**-**| ||||**Current value**
**(optional)**| ||||**-**| ||||**-**| ||||**-**| ||||**-**| ||||**-**| ||||**Current value**
**(optional)**| ||||**-**| ||||**-**| ||||**-**| ||||**-**| ||||**-**| ||||**-**| ||||**-**| ||||**-**| ||||**-**| ||||**When due**
**(optional)**| ||||| ||||| ||||| ||||| ||||| ||||| ||||Date of
approval| |||Mike Elliott(Treasurer)|6/5/2023| Paula Boyden (Chairl 61512023