2023-12-31-accounts

Trustees’ Annual Report for the period

From 01/01/2023 Period start date To 31/12/2023 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 about the link between the abuse of animals and abuse of people. It introduces the concept that perpetrators of domestic abuse often abuse the close bond between victim-survivors and their animals, deliberately harm an animal, may lie about how an animal has sustained injuries, can withhold access to veterinary treatment, and that this may be as part of a coercive and controlling relationship. Course content includes highlighting the different types and signs 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 members of the household (adults and children) and reporting pathways. We also cover the importance of specialist animal fostering services for the pets of people fleeing domestic abuse. The impact of this training is that most recent (up to 20 years qualified) veterinary graduates have an awareness of the link between the abuse of people and animals, the role that the veterinary team plays in dealing with cases and the importance of multi-agency working. Veterinary undergraduate training that has taken place at UK universities in 2023 includes:  Bristol  Cambridge  Edinburgh  Glasgow  Liverpool  Nottingham  Royal Veterinary College (University of London)  Surrey These undergraduate talks have been available since 2003, initially as an optional ‘extra’ for undergraduates and now as part of the curriculum. The training now equates to reaching circa 1,200 veterinary undergraduates who will join the veterinary workforce in the next two years.

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 prepandemic by the British Small Animal Veterinary Association (BSAVA) to run regional training days for veterinary teams across the UK. These re-started, as planned, in early 2023 with delivery in Antrim, Nottingham, Exeter, and London; with 170 people attending. In line with the purposes and main activities of the charity, the format of these training sessions has evolved into multi-agency training days. This allows us to use subject matter expert speakers in domestic abuse, child abuse and animal abuse and welfare, to bring a holistic awareness of the issues across the professions, highlight barriers to reporting for veterinary professionals and learning from our allied professionals in human health and social care, and emphasise the need for intersectionality in strategy and delivery of best practice. This series of training days is due to complete in 2024 with days in Cardiff, Southampton and the Northwest region. Speakers at these events include:  Women’s Aid,  the NSPCC,  regional police forces,  the RSPCA,  the specialist domestic abuse pet fostering groups,  a veterinary forensic expert witness,  and the Links Group speakers. Delegates and guests have been open to and attended by members of veterinary teams and any other agencies or individuals working in child and/or domestic abuse. This includes:  private and charity sector veterinary nurses, veterinary surgeons and practice managers,  presidents and senior members of major veterinary professional organisations (RCVS, BVA, BSAVA, BVNA, NIVA, AVSPNI, Vet Support, Young Vet Network, SPVS and the VDS),  representatives of the vet schools and other academics, students, forensic science,  social workers, NHS safeguarding leads,

 city and county council
representatives,
 police officers and representatives
of offices of the Police and Crime
Commissioners,
 domestic abuse services for male
and female victim-survivors,
 an MP, and in Northern Ireland, the
Department of Justice, the
Department of Health and
representatives of the Executive
Office.
Direct outcomes from these 2023 meetings
have included:
 delivering training for the VDS,
 collaboration with the University of
Sussex in delivering training in the
to postgraduate practising social
workers, developing a training
stream for undergraduate social
workers and veterinary nurses,
contributing to a textbook on
veterinary social work,
 becoming an off-site partner of the
Foyle Family Justice Centre, the
only centre of its type in the UK; and
a Links member sitting on their
Board in an advisory role,
 collaboration with Hestia to bring
their Online Safe Spaces portal to
the major veterinary organisations in
the UK.
In addition, the team have attended over 31
bespoke training sessions engaging a
diverse range of professionals including
veterinary colleagues, animal welfare
organisations, domestic and sexual abuse
services, police, social workers, housing
teams, health workers, substance misuse
services and more across the UK and
internationally. Through this activity we
have provided training to over 3,500
professionals in the last twelve months. The
impact has been to drive that awareness
about the link, raise the profile of the issues
and promote inter-agency working to help
tackle them.
In 2015 we launched our free online
training course hosted by the Virtual
College to introduce the concept of the link
and animal welfare to those working in any
capacity in the human health and
safeguarding sectors. Since launch, this
course has been accessed by 10,830 allied
professionals, helping them to understand
how poor animal welfare can be an
indicator of other issues within a home.

The Links Group is internationally
recognised with talks delivered at the Link II
Conference in Lisbon and also at the World
Small Animal Veterinary Association
conference.
Pet Fostering
A further key element of the Links Group is
the animal fostering group, made up of
specialist domestic abuse pet fostering
organisations that include:
 Dogs Trust Freedom
 Cats Protection Lifeline
 Endeavour
 Refuge4Pets
In 2023 our animal fostering services
supported 728 individuals/families to
escape domestic abuse by fostering 952
animals.
The Cats Protection Lifeline and Dogs Trust
Freedom teams have been busy expanding
the service even further this year. Both
services now cover much of the UK, with a
planned expansion into Northern Ireland in
2025.
The Cats Protection Lifeline team have
been working hard to raise awareness
about the importance of animal fostering
services through their partnership with
Refuge .Both organisations collaborated
with 7th Pencil, a talent artist to depict the
depth of bond that so many survivors of
domestic abuse have with their animals.
Cats Protection’s Christmas Appeal
focused on the Lifeline service from
November 2023 which saw a 74% increase
in cats helped to safety through the service.
The team have just received the news that
they have won a ‘People’s Choice’ Award in
the Smiley Charity Film Awards, for their
film ‘Mr Biggles & Ava, Together
Again’ which has been shown across
national TV.
Over the last 12 months Refuge4Pets have
led a pioneering pilot where they have been
attending Multi-Agency Risk Assessment
Conferences (MARACs) across Devon and
Cornwall. MARAC meetings are where
agencies work together to safeguard victim-
survivors of domestic abuse. Refuge4Pets
role at MARAC is to promote factoring
animals into the safety plans for victim-
survivors. The team at Refuge4Pets have
been working withSafeLives (a national

domestic abuse charity) to develop MARAC templates and guidance to include animals ready for a national roll out. In 1997, Paws for Kids/Endeavour founded the UK’s first pet fostering service to enable families to keep their pets safe and flee abusive households. Their foster service has grown to cover the Northwest in partnership with Dogs Trust Freedom. Endeavour has seven community projects supporting families in their homes and in temporary accommodation, with 2024 bringing our oldest ever client and pet owner, aged 99. Governance and charity management Priority activity in 2023 was a review of membership and the resulting creation of a new suite of non-voting ‘Supporter’ categories

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, animal welfare teams and a broad range of professionals in touch with victim- survivors of abuse. 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 2024
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 31/12/23 The Links Group had a cash balance of £32,995 held in its named bank account. This represented an in year reduction in available funds of £6,418 (balance on 01/01/22, £39,413). However, further sponsorship income of £9,990 is pending, to be received in early 2024.
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 2024
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:

The charity’s principal sources of funds (including any fundraising)	Para 1.47	Sponsorship The Links Group’s main income is currently in the form of sponsorship from MSD Animal Health to support charity administration and the delivery of veterinary undergraduate training programmes. In 2023 the charity received £9,990 income from this source with a further commitment of £9,990 to be received. Donations The charity also received an unexpected, one off donation of £1,000 from the Guide Dogs Association Membership fees There were no membership receipts in 2023 as we revised our membership / supporter categories. Future income will be recorded a ‘donations’
Investment policy and objectives including any social investment policy adopted	Para 1.46	The charity doesn’t hold any investments
A description of the principal risks facing the charity	Para 1.46	A risk register will be developed in 2024

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 expression of interest process and then appointed by voting members

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 policies and procedures (e.g. 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 are supporters 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 Supporters 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
	David Martin
	Rebecca Ashman
	Rachel Dalton
	MaryWakeham

– 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
02/09/2024
----- End of picture text -----

	The Links Group	The Links Group	The Links Group	1196067	CC16a
	For the period from	1/1/2023	To	12/31/2023
Section A Receipts and payments
A1 Receipts Donations 1,954 Sponsorship 9,990 Membershipsubscriptions - - - - - - 11,944 - - Sub total - Total receipts 11,944 A3 Payments Admin/Office expenditure Insurance 134 Website / IT costs 862 Marketing,Design,Print & Storage 8,615 Volunteer Expenses 4,488 55 Service Delivery 4,067 MembershipFees 141 - Sub total 18,362 - - Sub total - Total payments 18,362 Net of receipts/(payments) - 6,418 A5 Transfers between funds - A6 Cash funds last year end 39,413 Cash funds this year end 32,995 Unrestricted funds to the nearest £ Sub total(Gross income for AR) A2 Asset and investment sales, (see table). Volunteer Recruitment & Training (inc. Trustees) A4 Asset and investment purchases, (see table)		to the nearest £ - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - Restricted funds	to the nearest £ Endowment funds	Total funds to the nearest £ 1,954 9,990 - - - - - - 11,944 - - - 11,944 - 134 862 8,615 4,488 55 4,067 141 - 18,362 - - - 18,362 - 6,418 - 39,413 32,995	Last year to the nearest £
			- - - - - - - - -	1,954	-
				9,990	-
				-	-
				-	-
				-	-
				-	-
				-	-
				-	-
				11,944	-
			- - -	-
				-	-
				-	-
			-	11,944	-
			- - - - - - - - - -	-	-
				134	-
				862	-
				8,615	-
				4,488	-
				55	-
				4,067	-
				141	-
				-	-
				18,362	-
			- - -	-
				-
				-	-
			-	18,362	-
		-	- - - -	- 6,418	-
		-		-	-
		-		39,413	-
		-		32,995	-

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 £ 32,995 - - - - - 32,995 - 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)
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			-
			-
			-
			-
			Current value (optional)
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			When due (optional)
			Date of approval
		Mike Elliott(Treasurer)	9/2/2024

Paula Boyd&n Ichairl 21212024