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2024-03-31-accounts

Charity Registration number 1203138

TRUSTEES ANNUAL REPORT AND ACCOUNTS 2023 / 2024

For the Period from 18 May 2023 to 31 March 2024

00

Table of Contents

01 Charity information
02 Letter from the CEO
03 Introduction
04 Objectives & Activities
05-06 Programmes Launched
07 Reporting and evaluation
08 Achievements & Performance
09 Participant Success Story
10 Impact In Numbers
11 Financial Review
12 Future Outlook
13 Contact Information

01

Charity information

DEVON HEALING HORSEMANSHIP CHARITY INFORMATION FOR YEAR ENDING 31 MARCH 2024

Trustees on 31 March 2024

Marie Whitaker: Chair of Trustees Elle Bradley Matthew Walker Dianne Haines

The following persons also served as a Trustee during part of the year ending 31 March 2024 Hoagy Burton

Registered Address

Langarra, Dean Hill Road, Willand, Devon EX12 2PG

Constitution

Registered on the 18 May 2023 as a Charitable Incorporated Organisation (CIO) with the Charity Commission for England and Wales number 1203138

Independent Examiner

Allan Jennings 27 Lasswade Road Chertsey Surrey KT16 9HZ

Bank

Charities Aid Foundation (CAF) Bank Limited

25 Kings Hill Avenue Kings Hill West Malling

Kent ME18 4JQ

02

Letter from the CEO

Louise Broadway

FOUNDER & CEO DEVON HEALING HORSEMANSHIP

Founding Devon Healing Horsemanship has been a deeply personal journey, driven by a desire to provide an effective alternative to talk-based therapy for those who find it challenging or ineffective.

As a Romany Gypsy with lived experience of bullying, anxiety, depression, and ASC. I understand the challenges many of our participants face, including what it means to feel excluded.

This perspective has shaped our mission to create a welcoming, supportive space that delivers real, measurable outcomes through equine-assisted interventions.

Our first year, from registration in May 2023 to delivering our first sessions in March 2024, focused on building strong foundations. We located an ideal arena—a quiet, welcoming environment perfect for individuals with severe anxiety, many of whom are stepping outside their comfort zones. We developed robust safeguarding, financial, and operational policies and established flexible agreements with the arena owner, accredited TheHorseCourse facilitators, and horse owners. These agreements allow us to pay on an hourly basis, ensuring financial flexibility and keeping our overheads low.

Our initial sessions exceeded expectations, delivering remarkable results and enabling participants to make meaningful improvements in their mental health. These successes affirm the value of the work we do and the impact we can have on those who need us most.

I am deeply grateful for the dedicated trustees, volunteers, and supporters who have made this possible. Together, we’ve built a stable foundation for a transformative charity, and I look forward to continuing to change lives in the years to come.

Thank you.

LOUISE BROADWAY

03

Introduction

Trustees' Report

The Trustees are pleased to present their annual report and financial statement for the year 2023 / 2024. These financial statements have been prepared in accordance with the accounting policies set out by the Charity Commission and comply with the charity's constitution.

Background

Devon Healing Horsemanship was registered as a charity on 18 May 2023 with a mission to transform lives through equine-assisted support. The period leading up to our first course in March 2024 was dedicated to careful preparation, including developing robust safeguarding policies, securing the ideal location for our sessions, and laying the groundwork for a safe, impactful, and sustainable program. This thoughtful planning ensured we could deliver the highest standard of care and support to our participants from the outset.

This annual report reflects on our impactful first year, highlighting the strides we've made to reduce social exclusion and improve mental health and well-being in our community. It showcases how our funds are making a real difference and celebrates the work we deliver with the help of our incredible network of participants, volunteers, donors, and supporters who make up the DHH family.

Structure, Governance and Management

The organisation is controlled by its constitution which was adopted on 18 May 2023 and registered as a Charitable Incorporated Organisation (CIO) by the Charity Commission of England and Wales.

ln appointing the first Trustees the objective was to recruit a group of people with skills, knowledge and experience for the effective administration of the Charity both to oversee the governance and management of the Charity. Trustees are recruited in line with a Trustee Role Description and our Safer Recruitment Policy (including DBS check).

Apart from the first charity trustees, every trustee must be appointed for a term of 3 years by a resolution passed at a properly convened meeting of the charity trustees. In selecting individuals for appointment as charity trustees, the trustees must have regards to the skills, knowledge and experience needed for the effective administration of the CIO.

04

Objectives & Activities

Charity Objectives

The Objects of the CIO - Devon Healing Horsemanship, as set out in its governing document, are to relieve the needs of adults and children/young people aged 8 and over living in Devon and the surrounding areas with (either diagnosed or un-diagnosed) mental, emotional, or sensory disabilities/disorders/illnesses and/or problematic behaviours, who are not making progress with mainstream talking therapies, through: a) the provision of equine assisted therapy programmes designed to promote their health and wellbeing and rehabilitation and to support them to engage fully in education, training or work through the development of core skills; (b) advancing the education of those supporting such people.

Activities

We are dedicated to creating a welcoming and supportive environment where individuals facing mental, emotional, and sensory challenges, as well as problematic behaviours, can achieve measurable progress. In alignment with our charitable purposes, our primary activities focus on delivering transformative, evidence-based equine-assisted interventions. These interventions serve as effective alternatives to traditional talk-based therapies. Central to our work is the ReStart programme, complemented by our lighter-touch sessions, both of which are detailed on the following pages.

The Trustees declare that they have complied with their duty to have regards to the guidance on public benefit published by the Charity Commission in exercising their powers and duties.

05

Programmes Launched

We are proud to be one of the 11 organisations in the UK (and the only charity in Devon) accredited to deliver the well-evidenced TheHorseCourse equine-assisted programmes.

In March 2024 we launched our first equine assisted sessions offering the flagship TheHorseCourse ReStart programme and lighter touch sessions.

The ReStart Programme

ReStart participants have serious difficulties (studies show they typically have more than four from the list below). And they are referred because talk-based support is not working for them. We specialise in helping people who are disengaged or stuck.

We teach, rehearse and repeat 8 key psycho-social skills (see THC Star) in an intensive and challenging, but fun, 4-5 day programme with feedback in-the-moment from specially trained horses and 1-to-1 facilitator support.

Anxiety diagnosis disengaged offending ADHD self harming domestic violence Autistic spectrum suicidal neglect / abuse PTSD bullying difficult family dynamics not attending school anger management issues family with mental health problems not attending training or work being bullied living in care, leaving care /at risk of relationship difficulties risk taking behaviour going into care mood swings/impulsivity drug & alcohol misuse from area of high deprivation

homeless

THE CHANGE JOURNEY

06

EQUINE-ASSISTED SERVICES

NON-VERBAL TECHNIQUES ARE USED TO CALM AND ENGAGE CHALLENGING PARTICIPANTS

HORSEMANSHIP TASKS TEACH 8 CORE SKILLS ON THE THC STAR

SPECIALLY TRAINED HORSES GIVE FEEDBACK & REWARD IN THE MOMENT

REFLECTIVE SESSION

CERTIFICATE ASSESSMENT (Horsemanship Level 1) FAMILY / PEER INVOLVEMENT HANDBACK TO PROFESSIONAL

We do very little talking - the ReStart course is actionbased, designed to interrupt participants’ usual thinking and emotional responses, whilst responsive to their pace and needs. It is effective because of the challenging programme of activities in which people succeed only by altering their presentation in response to coaching from expert facilitators. They learn and rehearse the eight skills shown on the THC Skills Star below and positive habits are rewarded with success in an urgent context with clear feedback from unbiased, sensitive and expressive horses. In the final session the facilitator and participant reflect on our Skills Star and talk through successful strategies that can be taken away into real life. Our lighter touch sessions also focus on one or several of these 8 skills. The ReStart was designed within a 3 year action-research project in partnership with two universities. Our success relies strongly on the style and quality of our horsemanship and our rigorous staff training. We test everything we do through robust external evaluation.

THC SKILLS STAR

Assertiveness

Able to be boundaried & assertive, without getting aggressive or Engagement upset (Confidence as a Learner) Focus & needs less Perseverance Enthusiastically takes on support new challenges, pushes Works towards goals limits whilst also taking despite setbacks care of own confidence gaining trying to confidence, with less be assertive without needs less support being mean support trying, needs trying to learn recognises support problem blocks easily teacher ineffectualOR distracted Taking Responsibility

Communication & refuses / aggressive chaotic/ drops out directionless takes full Language responsibility overly blames / listening well for own Two way, confidentgetting & trying to be clear communicatewants to One way / none STUCK takes blame thinking about it self-managetrying to gaining power emotions and thoughts, respectful, assertive doesn’t heartless actions communcations. think OR shut (and no-one Has language to talk impulsive/ down else’s) about thinking and poor planning / anxious wants to emotions unrealistic basis make contact wants to trying, with make achange support noticingneeds of others gaining responding confidence, trying appropriately less support strategies, sometimes needs support

Communication & Language

Realistic Analysis & Planning

gaining confidence, less support

Stops to think before acting, makes a realistic assessment of situations and plans

Relating to Others / Empathy

Has the habit of calmness and knows how to create it, even in difficult situations

accordingly

Sees the needs of others, offers care and support, feels closely connected

Calmness

07

Reporting and evaluation

We have rigorous evaluation process to ensure our programs are effective, impactful, and continually improving.

As providers of TheHorseCourse ReStart Programme, a highly structured and evidence-based intervention. We evaluate our courses inline with their detailed Theory of Change framework which was published as an exemplar by New Philanthropy Capital and includes measurable outcomes in eight psycho-social skills:

Measurement Tools

We use the THC Skills Star, a validated tool to measure progress across the eight skills on a scale of 0–4:

Intermediate Outcomes

2 months post course we monitor broader outcomes, including:

Participants and their families, as well as referrers, provide qualitative and quantitative feedback on these outcomes.

Participant Feedback

Each participant provides a rating on how helpful they found the course (average score: 9.5/10) Open-ended feedback is collected to identify strengths and areas for improvement

04 08

Achievements and performance

During the brief reporting period between our first ReStart on 19 March 2024 and the end date of 31 March 2024, we had two participants.

We delivered two ReStart programmes, each consisting of 10 hours of 1-to-1 equine-assisted sessions. However, as one ReStart was still in progress as of 31 March, the total equineassisted session (EAS) hours for the period was 12.5, rather than the 20 hours that would typically be delivered upon completion.

Despite this short timeframe, the sessions had a profound impact, bringing about meaningful, longer-term changes in the lives of both participants. The transformative outcomes of these sessions are highlighted on the following pages.

Equine Assisted Sessions Delivered

ReStart Participants Lighter touch Participants

0

2

EAS hours delivered

12.5

Average participant score of our courses out of 10

% participants who improved in all 8 skills on the THC Skills Star

9.5

100%

Participant Feedback

“Brilliant and friendly environment, well worth it as struggling with anxiety. The course has helped me overcome overwhelming stess”

“Not knowing quite what to expect from equine therapy, but realising my 9 year old daughter couldn’t take part in talking therapy I was blown away watching my anxious little girl engage with Clips and Louise.

I watched her confidence grow with every session and saw her persevere in situations she previously would have given up in. Along with coping strategies, she took away with her a feeling of self worth, knowing she can achieve hard things”

09

Participant Success Story

Finding Confidence, Calm, and Connection

In spring 2024, Devon Healing Horsemanship welcomed one of our first participants, a 10-yearold girl referred by her previous school due to severe anxiety. Diagnosed with autism, her world had become increasingly small—she wasn’t attending school, meeting friends, or even leaving her home to walk the dog. The challenges deeply impacted not only her life but also her family’s.

Over the course of our 10-hour ReStart Programme, she partnered with our horse, Clips, and embarked on a journey of self-discovery, emotional regulation, and confidence-building. Using a non-verbal, action-based approach, she learned eight core psycho-social skills such as calmness, assertiveness, and perseverance. Each session was carefully tailored to her needs, ensuring she felt supported and in control. For instance, she was encouraged to retreat and reapproach challenging tasks, breaking them into manageable steps to build her comfort zone over time.

The progress she made was remarkable. By practicing finding her "neutral"—a state of complete calm and relaxation—she not only connected deeply with Clips but also learned how to selfregulate in stressful situations. Through tasks like guiding Clips backwards through an “Lshape" obstacle, she discovered how staying calm and focused could make difficult tasks achievable. Her perseverance and determination shone, and by the end of the course, she was confidently making choices, solving problems, and tackling new challenges with ease.

The results extended far beyond the sessions. She began attending a forest school, where she made her first-ever friend of her own age, whom she now meets regularly. She also overcame her anxiety enough to navigate a busy airport and enjoy a family holiday— something her family had thought impossible just months before. Her mother shared: "Her mental health has improved massively. She’s more confident, handles her emotions better, and is excited about learning again. We are so grateful for what you’ve done for her."

This THC Skills Star diagram visually represents the participant's progress across 8 key skills, measured on a scale from 0 at the center to 4 at the outer edge. The inner line shows the participant's starting point on the course, while the outer line represents their growth by the end of the course.

10

Impact In Numbers

Transforming Lives Through Measurable Outcomes

We are committed to delivering measurable, life-changing outcomes for our participants who have not progressed with traditional talk-based support. Using data from our 2023/2024 participants we compare our results with larger studies on TheHorseCourse (THC) ReStart program. This comparison allows us to showcase the consistency and effectiveness of our approach while also reinforcing the validity of our results through robust external research. Details of the studies can be found at www.thehorsecourse.org/evidence

These statistics show the profound transformations our participants achieve, By aligning with TheHorseCourse’s proven methods, we ensure our work is based on evidence-backed strategies, empowering individuals to overcome barriers and thrive

DHH THC ReStart Outcomes Measured 2023/2024 2 Months Post-ReStart (Studies) DHH 100% (2023/2024) ReStart Completion 95% 50% Improved Mental 33% Health (Anxiety) Improved Education/Work 100% 77% Engagement 50% Improved 81% Relationships Reduction in Problematic 50% 83% Behaviours 100% Greater Self-Belief 78% and Identity

These results demonstrate that Devon Healing Horsemanship, even in its early stages, is delivering outcomes that align closely with—and in some cases exceed—benchmarks established by TheHorseCourse, the creators of the ReStart Program. While our data is based on a small sample size, it highlights the potential for significant impact as we continue to grow and support more participants. We can build on this strong foundation and expand our reach to transform even more lives.

11

Financial Review

Income

The majority of our funding came from grants, totaling £13,224 from three funders, which accounted for 82% of our income. All of this funding was restricted. In addition, we received £2,828 in donations, representing 17% of our income. These donations were unrestricted, providing vital flexibility for our work.

Outgoings

We incurred a total of £1,125 delivering 12.5 hours of equine-assisted sessions to two participants. This expenditure covered the hire of specially trained horses, arena hire, and facilitation costs. In addition, £910.85 was spent on essential operating expenses, including insurance and phone services, which support the smooth running of the charity.

During the reporting period, a 50% deposit of £1,895 was paid towards the purchase of a shed to provide an indoor break area and toilet facilities. The full payment and delivery of the shed occurred after 31 March 2024.

Financial Position at Year-End

At the end of the financial period, we held £10,204 in restricted funds and £1,922.34 in unrestricted funds. Of the unrestricted funds, £510 will be retained as reserves, with the remaining balance dedicated to advancing our charitable objectives.

Reserves

Our policy is to maintain reserve funds equivalent to a minimum of six months' essential noncourse-related overheads. These reserves cover vital expenses such as insurance, phone SIM, bank account fees, accounting software, and website maintenance. These are the charity’s only regular expenses and can be cancelled at any time if necessary. These costs amount to approximately £85 per month, or £510 for six months.

All course-related expenses are incurred on a “pay-as-you-go” basis and directly tied to course delivery. It is the charity’s policy not to deliver courses unless sufficient funds are available to cover all associated costs, ensuring the financial stability of the organisation.

Financial Statement & Independent Examination

Attached at the end of this report is our financial statement and the independent examiner’s report.

12

Future Outlook

At Devon Healing Horsemanship, our vision is to create a lasting, transformative impact on the lives of individuals who face significant mental health, emotional, and sensory challenges. Building on the successes of our early participants and the robust foundations established through the ReStart program, we are committed to scaling our reach to meet the increasing demand for our services.

The growing recognition of the life-changing outcomes we deliver underscores the importance of innovative, action-based interventions, especially for those who have not progressed with traditional support systems. Our plans include forging deeper partnerships with schools, mental health professionals, and community organisations, ensuring we can identify and support even more individuals who will benefit from our approach.

Our focus remains on collaboration and quality, enabling us to extend our impact across Devon while maintaining the personal, high-standard support for which we are known.

Future Plans

Looking ahead, Devon Healing Horsemanship is committed to building on the strong foundations we’ve established. A key part of our future vision is to expand our capacity to meet the growing demand for our transformative equine-assisted programs. To achieve this, we will seek funding to recruit our first paid staff member—a significant step that will enhance our ability to deliver consistent, high-quality support to participants. This dedicated role will enable us to scale our services, strengthen our administrative capabilities, and ensure we can respond more effectively to referrals and inquiries.

We are also excited to introduce new initiatives, such as non-equine "Non-Verbal Toolbox" sessions for participants, their families, and the professionals who support them. These sessions will broaden our impact, equipping more people with the tools they need to foster emotional regulation and resilience in everyday life.

By deepening our partnerships with schools, mental health professionals, and community organisations, we aim to identify and reach even more individuals who can benefit from our unique approach. Through collaboration, innovation, and a commitment to excellence, we are determined to make a lasting difference in the lives of those we serve and to continue contributing to the strength and well-being of our wider community.

13

Contact Us

Phone

07770 173 552

Email Website

hi@devonhh.org.uk devonhh.org.uk

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CHARITY COMMISSION FOR ENGLAND AND WALES Independent examinerfs report on the accounts Section A Independent Examiner s Report port to tha trusteesl memb8rs Devon Healing Horsemanship On accounts for the year ended 2024 Charlty no (if any) 1203138 Set out on The attached financial ststement with accountlng records and supportSng documents trK)th held In Pandle.com I report to the twstees on my examlnatlon of th8 a(xounts of the above tharity (Ihe Tru8t') for the year end8d 3110312024 R￿pOnSIbIlItIeS and As the charty trustees of the Trust, you are responslble for the preparatlon basls of report of the accounts In accordance wlth the requirements of the Charitles Act 2011 {'the Acr). I retKIrt In re8pect of my examlnation of the Trust's ac(x)unts carried out under sectlon 145 of the 2011 Act and In carrylng out my examlnatlon, I have followed the appllcable Dlrections given by the Charity Comml8sk)n under section 145{5)Ib) of the Act. I have completed my examinatlon. l o)nfkni that no materlal matters have (x)me to my attentlon In connectlon vlth the examlnatlon vthlch glves me cause to believe that In. any materlal respect: a¢o)untlng re¢ord8 ￿re not kept In accordance wlth sedon 130 of the Ad or the a<xounts do nol accord the a￿OUntIng records Ind•p•ndent examlnerfs statement I have no concem8 and have come acro88 no other matter8 In connectlon wlth the examinatlon to vthlch attentlon should be dravm In order to enable a proper understsnding of the aC￿)Ur￿ to be reached. Slgn•d: Name: Allan Jennings Rolevant professlonal qualffi¢atlon(s) or body (If any): Addrn•8: 27 Lasswade Road Chert5ey Surrey . l(r16 9HZ IER October 2018