**Charity Registration number 1203138** # **TRUSTEES ANNUAL REPORT AND ACCOUNTS 2024 / 2025** **For the Period from 01 April 2024 to 31 March 2025** **00** |**Table of**
**Contents**
Letter from the CEO
Charity information
Introduction
Our Purpose and Approach
Programme Delivery & Development
What We Delivered in 2024/25
Who We Support and Why It Matters
What Participants Say
The ReStart Programme
TheHorseCourse Skills Star
**01**
**02**
**03**
**04**
**05**
**06**
**07**
**08**
**09**
**10**
Lighter Touch Sessions
**11**
**12**
A year In Numbers|**Table of**
**Contents**
Letter from the CEO
Charity information
Introduction
Our Purpose and Approach
Programme Delivery & Development
What We Delivered in 2024/25
Who We Support and Why It Matters
What Participants Say
The ReStart Programme
TheHorseCourse Skills Star
**01**
**02**
**03**
**04**
**05**
**06**
**07**
**08**
**09**
**10**
Lighter Touch Sessions
**11**
**12**
A year In Numbers| |---|---| ||| ||| ||| ||| ||| ||| ||| ||| ||| ||| ||| ||| ||| ||| ||| ||| ||| ||| ||| ||| ||| ||| ||| ||| ||| ||| ||| ||The ReStart Programme
TheHorseCourse Skills Star
**10**
Lighter Touch Sessions
**11**
**12**| ||| ||| ||| ||| ||| ||| ||| **0.5** ## **Table of Contents continued** A Year In Numbers **13** Non-Verbals Toolbox Training **14** Reporting and evaluation **15** Impact In Numbers **16** Financial Review **17** Future Outlook **18-20** Financial Statement **21** Independent Examiners Report **01** ## **Letter from the CEO** ## **Louise Broadway** ## FOUNDER & CEO DEVON HEALING HORSEMANSHIP This was our very first full year of delivery — and what a year it’s been! Between 1 April 2024 and 31 March 2025, we supported 30 individuals through more than 165 hours of equine-assisted sessions, alongside eight Non-Verbals Toolbox sessions. We’ve also adapted and expanded our services in response to feedback from both participants and referring healthcare professionals. This has included the launch of new offers such as ReStart Flex, Foundations sessions, Top-ups, and our Non-Verbals Toolbox training. In addition, we can now deliver sessions from two different arenas in Devon—one in Mid Devon and one in East Devon. It’s been a steep learning curve at times. I didn’t come into this from a charity or fundraising background — I’ve just asked questions, sought advice, and taken things one step at a time, exactly as we teach participants to do with the horses. And with a great team of trustees and volunteers, we’ve built a service for those who haven’t found help anywhere else, for the ones who’ve slipped through the cracks of traditional support. And it really is making a difference. One of the moments that’s stayed with me most this year has been seeing a familiar face return — our very first participant. She came back for Top-Up sessions, and it’s been amazing to see how far she’s come. That first ReStart gave her the tools to move forward, and she’s continued to build confidence, stronger relationships, and ways to manage the tough moments. The trust she and her mum place in us, and their willingness to return when things feel wobbly, means more than I can say. I’ve also been deeply moved by the young person who didn’t speak a word at the start of their programme and now chats away like they’ve known us for years. The feedback we’ve received from families, referrers, and young people throughout the year has been incredibly powerful. Behind the scenes, I’m hugely grateful to the trustees, volunteers, supporters, and funders who’ve made all of this possible. We started with little more than a vision, and we’re now building something that’s genuinely working for people who’ve often felt overlooked. Thank you to everyone who has helped make this real. I can’t wait to see what comes next. LOUISE BROADWAY **02** ## **Introduction** Devon Healing Horsemanship exists for people who cannot engage with, or have not progressed through, traditional talk-based support. Our work begins where words stop working. ## **Trustees' Report** The Trustees are pleased to present their annual report and financial statement for the year ending 31 March 2025. 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. Devon Healing Horsemanship was registered as a charity in May 2023 with a mission to transform lives through equine-assisted support. Following our first courses in March 2024, this year marked our first full year of delivery. We have since expanded our programmes to meet local demand, refined our systems and deepened our understanding of how best to support participants with complex needs through non-verbal, action-based interventions. This report reflects on a year of growth, learning and measurable outcomes. It showcases how our charitable funding has been used to make a real difference to the lives of children, young people, and adults across Devon. We also celebrate the incredible contributions of our participants, volunteers, referrers and supporters — all of whom make up the DHH community. ## **Structure, Governance and Management** Devon Healing Horsemanship is governed by its constitution, adopted on 18 May 2023, and is registered as a Charitable Incorporated Organisation with the Charity Commission for England and Wales. The Board of Trustees provides strategic oversight and ensures good governance in line with Charity Commission guidance. Trustees are recruited according to a defined role description and in line with our Safer Recruitment Policy, which includes appropriate safeguarding checks such as DBS clearance. Trustees bring a broad range of skills, knowledge, and lived experience to support the effective governance of the charity. New appointments are made by resolution at a properly convened trustee meeting and serve a term of three years. The Board meets regularly to monitor finances, review progress against objectives, and ensure compliance with legal, regulatory, and ethical standards. Day-to-day operations are delegated to the charity’s Founder and CEO, who leads on programme delivery, fundraising, volunteer coordination, and stakeholder engagement. The CEO role itself is currently unpaid; however, freelance payments are made separately for specific delivery and administrative services. This blended structure allows the charity to maintain strong leadership while maximising the impact of its charitable funds. **03** **Charity information** DEVON HEALING HORSEMANSHIP INFORMATION FOR YEAR ENDING 31 MARCH 2025 ## **Trustees on 31 March 2025** Marie Whitaker (Chair of Trustees) Elle Bradley Dianne Haines Matthew Walker (served as a Trustee during part of the year ending 31 March 2025) ## **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 ## **Contact details** Website: Devonhh.org.uk Phone: 07770 173552 Email: Hi@Devonhh.org.uk **04** ## **A Year In Numbers** ## **Key Achievements at a Glance** £3,861 total donations received 75 Sessions delivered 30 Participants supported ||**Delivery**||**Community Engagement**|| |---|---|---|---|---| |59|Restart sessions||15
Volunteers|| |8
8|Lighter touch sessions
Non-Verbals Toolbox||544
Total Volunteer hours
contributed|| |5|Event and Awareness days||**Volunteer hours breakdown**|| ||**Lighter touch Sessions**||236
Admin and fundraising|support| |5
2|Top-up
sessions
Family
sessions
4
5|Top-up
particpants
Family
participants|160
Website design and build|| |1|Foundation
session
1|Foundation
Participant|128
Event and awareness stand|| ||**ResStart Sessions**||20
Governance and complaince|| |59|Total
ReStart
Sessions
16|Total
ReStart
Participants|**Service Reach & Delivery**|| |42|ReStart -
Intensive
11|ReStart -
Intensive|17
18
Referring
organisations|Individual
Referrers| |17|Sessions
5
ReStart -
Flex|Participants
ReStart -
Flex|2
3
Horse Team
Members|Delivery
Venues| ||Sessions|Sessions|**Social Media**|| Note: 30 individuals were supported across all services. Some participants accessed more than one type of support, so activity totals exceed individual numbers 18% Growth in social media following **05** ## **Our Purpose and Approach** ## **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. ## **How We Fulfil Our Purpose** 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. Our primary activities focus on delivering transformative, evidence-based equine-assisted interventions—effective alternatives to traditional talk-based therapies for those who feel stuck, overwhelmed, or excluded from other support. To ensure the highest standards of safety, quality, and impact, Devon Healing Horsemanship is accredited by TheHorseCourse, a nationally recognised, evidence-based programme model. We are one of only 16 organisations globally, and the only charity in Devon, licensed to deliver this work. Of these, 12 are based in the UK, with others in the USA, Canada, the Netherlands, and New Zealand. Our sessions are delivered by TheHorseCourse-accredited facilitators with advanced training in equine-assisted services. The Trustees declare that they have complied with their duty to have regard to the guidance on public benefit published by the Charity Commission in exercising their powers and duties. **06** ## **Programme Delivery & Development** In this our first full year of delivery we have delivered both the flagship ReStart programme and THC’s established Lighter Touch sessions, which include individually tailored formats such as Foundations Sessions and Family Sessions. In response to feedback from participants and referrers, we introduced ReStart Flex to make the programme more accessible for those unable to engage with the standard four-day intensive, while still staying true to the evidence-based model. To further support our participants, we began offering TheHorseCourse CPD-certified Non-Verbals Toolbox as a non-equine session. These practical workshops engage a wide range of participants— including parents, carers, and professionals—as well as some individuals currently taking part in our equine-assisted programmes. When a parent or carer completes the Non-Verbals workshop, it significantly strengthens the impact of their child’s sessions. It equips families with shared tools and language for emotional regulation, deepens connection, and helps maintain progress at home. By better understanding what their child is learning, parents gain the confidence to respond more calmly and effectively—fostering more connected, resilient family dynamics. ## **Strengthening and Evolving Our Offer** This year we have refined and expanded our programmes to better meet the needs of the individuals and families we serve. We now offer a range of equine-assisted sessions designed to support participants who are not progressing with traditional, talk-based therapies. Each session type is built around core principles of action-based learning, emotional regulation, and psychosocial skill development—delivered in a safe, non-judgemental space with our specially trained horses. Our approach has evolved in response to what we’ve learned from participants, parents, referrers, and facilitators. In 2024/25, we have: Refined our flagship ReStart programme into two formats—Intensive and Flex—so that participants can engage in a way that suits their readiness, stamina, and schedule Expanded our Lighter Touch offer, which now includes: - Ongoing sessions for those not yet ready for a full ReStart or needing continued support post-programme - Top-Up Sessions to reinforce learning and maintain progress - Family Sessions to involve siblings, carers, or key family members in shared emotional learning Foundations Sessions as a gentle first step into equine-assisted work Our Non-Verbals Toolbox is available either fully online or in a flexible two-part format, combining a tailored face-to-face session with online access. Whether someone engages in a full ReStart, a series of lighter sessions, a carefully paced Foundations Session, or our CPD-certified Non-Verbals Toolbox training, they are supported with compassion, structure, and evidence-informed tools to build calmness, confidence, and connection. Every session is grounded in a trauma-informed, action-based approach designed to create meaningful, measurable change. **047** ## **What We Delivered in 2024/25** Devon Healing Horsemanship supported 30 participants in total: 8 through Non-Verbals Toolbox sessions only, and 22 who accessed equine-assisted support, delivered across 165 hours of sessions. Of those accessing equine-assisted support, 16 completed our flagship ReStart programme—11 as a fourday intensive and 5 through the ReStart Flex format— while a further 9 participants took part in Lighter Touch sessions, including Foundations, Family and Top-Up sessions. The impact of these sessions was consistently strong: 81% of ReStart participants improved in all 8 areas of the THC Skills Star, with 100% improving in at least half. Many families and referrers have requested further support for participants now thriving after ReStart, reflecting both its effectiveness and the importance of continued input for sustained progress. These sessions form the core of our equine-assisted intervention work and remain central to our mission of supporting people who aren’t progressing in traditional, talk-based settings. Alongside our equine sessions, we also delivered THC’s CPD-certified Non-Verbals Toolbox to 10 people through tailored, face-to-face sessions, followed by access to a 2-hour online module that forms part of the full CPD-certified training. This helped parents, professionals, and young people better understand and support emotional regulation through body language. ## **Equine Sessions Delivered** **ReStart Participants Lighter touch Participants** **EAS hours delivered** **16 9 165 Average participant score of our % participants who improved in all 8 courses out of 10 skills on the THC Skills Star 9.5 81%** ## **Participant Feedback** “I was able to learn how to find calmness by doing and seeing it work, instead of just talking about how to improve things” One young participant shared that, prior to taking part, they were experiencing suicidal thoughts. Following the programme, they reported feeling safer, more hopeful, and able to continue with their life. **08** ## **Who We Support and Why It Matters** Devon Healing Horsemanship works with people who are stuck — individuals who aren’t engaging with traditional, talk-based therapies, or who have tried and made no meaningful progress. Our participants are typically living with complex emotional, mental health, or neurodiverse needs that have left them excluded, overwhelmed, or shut down in the face of conventional support. During this reporting year, over 80% of ReStart participants were children and young people aged 8–21, referred by schools, GPs, NHS social prescribers, family support services, youth services, and community organisations. The remaining participants were adults facing similar challenges around communication, confidence, emotional regulation, and engagement with daily life. Many of those referred to us are experiencing anxiety, trauma, school avoidance, communication difficulties (including elective mutism), or challenging behaviour linked to neurodiversity. Some have waited months or years for CAMHS or counselling input, only to disengage, mask, or be deemed “unreachable.” Others have become exhausted by services that rely heavily on verbal processing. Our action-based approach is designed specifically for people who can’t—or won’t—talk about their emotions. Every participant is referred because talking therapy hasn’t worked, or they’re no longer making progress. We work alongside carefully selected horses to help individuals build calmness, confidence, and resilience through non-verbal, experiential learning. This year we received referrals from a wide range of professionals, including Social workers, NHS social prescribers, community connectors, family support workers, mental health CICs, primary schools, and local authority staff. Repeat referrals from trusted partners like Parental Minds, Culm Valley Primary Care Network, and Young Devon highlight growing demand and the unique value of what we offer. Referrers tell us they value the honesty of our approach, the visible behavioural change, and the ability to access something different when all else has failed. For many of those we support, we’re not just another service—they tell us we’re the first thing that’s worked. One young person referred for school refusal had stopped speaking entirely in formal settings and was considered unreachable by services. After completing the ReStart, they began attending parttime education and re-engaging with trusted adults. **09** ## **What Participants Say** Many of the people we support have tried everything else — but still felt stuck, anxious, or disconnected. These quotes, shared anonymously, reflect the shift they experienced through our work. **----- Start of picture text -----**
I feel better
Talking counselling wasn’t
after six months
working. This lifted my
of misery. spirits, gave me hope I
Adult ReStart participant never had
Young ReStart Participant
Counselling’s never worked
I have loved this so much
This does!
and it has made me so much
Young Lighter touch participant
more confident
Since coming i finally
feel like I have control ReStart Participant
This has changed my
of my life again
life for the better
Adult ReStart participant Young ReStart Participant
**----- End of picture text -----**
“Thank you so much for helping me. I’m finding it hard to describe just how special this course has been. I will hold it dear to my heart forever. You, Clips, and Mel have helped me realise something numerous counsellors and psychologists never could.” “I’ve spent many hours of my life sitting and talking to therapists, not being able to focus, remember, or understand — but to be shown how to improve my mental health through action is something I can actually use” “Understanding how my energy affects others around me and my experiences is really going to help my relationships and interactions with others. I finally feel I can have control. I will continue learning to use my energy to shape my experiences and improve my health. Thank you!” The postcard above was given to us by a participant on the final day of a ReStart. The quotes beside it are lightly edited extracts from their message. **10** ## **The ReStart Programme** TheHorseCourse ReStart is our flagship equine-assisted intervention, designed for individuals who are stuck or disengaged — often after traditional, talk-based support has failed to bring progress. Delivered one-to-one over four sessions (on consecutive days in our intensive programme, or over a longer timespan in our ReStart Flex). The ReStart uses experiential, action-based learning with specially trained horses to help participants develop eight core psycho-social skills (see the Skills Star on the next page). There is no classroom content or counselling. Instead, participants are guided through practical horsemanship tasks that provide immediate, honest, non-verbal feedback. Through doing—not talking—they practise skills such as calmness, assertiveness, focus, perseverance, and empathy in real time. The approach is trauma-informed, neurodiversity-friendly, and adaptable to individual pace and readiness. Each ReStart includes: - Four 1:1 equine-assisted sessions (2.5 hours per day, totalling 10 hours) - A filmed horsemanship video for the participant to keep - A structured progress review using the THC Skills Star - A certificate of completion - A written handback report for referrers or support professionals Most individuals we support begin their journey with a ReStart. The programme is fully bespoke and tailored to meet each participant’s pace, needs, and capacity for engagement. Sessions take place in a calm, purpose-designed setting, offering a safe but appropriately challenging environment. Throughout the programme, readiness to learn is continuously assessed. Horsemanship-informed strategies are applied responsively to help participants stay in their optimal emotional and physiological state for learning. The structure of ReStart allows participants to build emotional awareness, resilience, and personalised self-management strategies. These are rehearsed through progressively more complex tasks with gradually reduced support. Structured reflection is embedded throughout, helping individuals consolidate what works best for them. In the final session, each participant and their facilitator review the Skills Star together and reflect on which strategies can be taken forward into daily life. The ReStart is particularly effective for those who are traditionally considered “hard to reach” or who have disengaged from mainstream services due to anxiety, trauma, neurodivergence, or difficult life experiences. Many of our participants go on to successfully reengage with school, training, employment, or appropriate therapeutic support. The equine-assisted sessions are action-based, designed to interrupt participants’ usual thinking patterns and emotional responses in a safe but impactful way. Unlike talk-based approaches, which rely on verbal reflection, our sessions create real-time, physical experiences that require participants to notice their internal state and adapt in the moment. Because horses respond honestly to non-verbal cues—such as body language, energy, and intention—participants receive immediate, unfiltered feedback. Success comes not from doing a task ‘correctly’, but from adjusting how they present themselves. With coaching and support, they begin to regulate their emotions, communicate more effectively, and take responsibility for their actions. These natural consequences build emotional resilience and self-awareness in a way that feels both challenging and empowering. **11** ## **TheHorseCourse Skills Star** Participants learn and practice eight core skills, outlined in our Skills Star. Success in these tasks is only possible when they apply calm, focused energy—skills reinforced through clear, immediate feedback from the horses, who are sensitive and expressive yet entirely unbiased. Engagement ( Confidence as a Learner) - enthusiastically taking on new challenges, pushing limits whilst also taking care of own confidence. Responsibility - taking responsibility for our own thoughts, emotions and actions. (For some stopping taking the blame & responsibility). Calmness - having the habit of calmness and knowing how to create it in difficult situations. Assertiveness - able to be calmly assertive, without getting aggressive or upset. Understanding that its okay to create healthy boundaries. Realistic Analysis & Planning - Stopping to think before acting, making a realistic assessment of situations and planning accordingly. Focus & Perseverance - working towards goals despite setbacks. Relating to Others/Empathy - seeing the needs of others, being able to offer care and support, feeling closely connected. Communication & Language - two way, respectful, assertive communications, having language to talk about thinking and emotions. One of the most important uses of THC Skills Star is to guide reflection and track change. Referrers complete the Star when they first refer a participant, helping us understand their starting point. On the final day of the ReStart, the participant revisits the same Star with their facilitator—discussing and reflecting on where they began, where they are now, and what has helped them improve. The green 'after' shape is drawn over the black 'before' shape to visually show progress. No two journeys look the same, but the outcome is almost always greater confidence, calmness, and overall resilience. Participants keep their Star and take ownership of maintaining their own progress— understanding that these life skills are like muscles: if you don’t use them, they fade. Two months after the programme, we ask referrers to complete the Skills Star again. This helps us understand whether the changes (they do in 80% of cases) have lasted or even increased. The consistency of this follow-up shows that ReStart is not just impactful—it’s sustainable. **12** ## **Lighter Touch Sessions** Our Lighter Touch sessions are designed for individuals and families who may not be ready for a full ReStart, or who need targeted follow-on support in a more adaptable format. These sessions use the same action-based horsemanship approach as ReStart, but with greater flexibility around structure, pace, and intensity. Sessions typically last between 1 and 2.5 hours and may be delivered 1:1, in small groups, or in family pairs (e.g. parent and child), with no more than three participants per facilitator. Each session focuses on one or two core psycho-social skills—such as calmness, trust, confidence, or emotional regulation—guided by real-time, honest feedback from horses. Even with minimal verbal discussion, we often see meaningful shifts after just one session: - Increased willingness to try something new Calmer behaviour and emotional recovery Improved confidence and trust These sessions make a big difference for those on the edge of engaging — it helps them trust us, and themselves. - Better parent-child or sibling communication Facilitator observation ## **How We Deliver Lighter Touch Support** ## **Foundations Sessions** A low-pressure adaptive starting point for participants who are anxious, unsure, or not yet ready to commit to a full ReStart. Foundations Sessions also serve as a gentle assessment of how someone engages in the arena. These often serve as a crucial first step for people who would otherwise disengage entirely—and for many, it’s the first time they feel calm, connected, and in control. ## **Top-Up Sessions** A vital support option for ReStart graduates when life becomes difficult or circumstances change (such as school transitions, bereavement, or parental separation) threaten to undo progress. These sessions help participants reapply and expand on what they’ve learned, with a trusted facilitator, in a safe environment. ## **Family Sessions** Typically involving a parent and child or siblings, these sessions help strengthen cooperation, emotional regulation, and communication through shared experiences. Activities are designed to help family members work better together and build trust. This year we’ve had higher-than-expected demand for Lighter Touch sessions—particularly Top-Ups —and at times more requests than we had funding to meet. While we’ve secured funding for some areas of delivery, this hasn’t always included these vital sessions. Top-Up sessions provide a crucial safety net, giving young people a familiar space to reconnect, practise key skills, and stay on track when life throws up new challenges—whether that’s a bereavement, a move to a new school, or a change at home. These moments often arise unexpectedly, and the ability to respond quickly with trusted, relationship-based support can make all the difference. **13** ## **Non-Verbals Toolbox** Our Non-Verbals Toolbox is a two-part training programme designed to build emotional awareness and help people manage behaviour without relying on words. It is especially valuable for those supporting individuals who shut down, explode, avoid, or disengage— whether due to trauma, neurodivergence, anxiety or other challenges. At the core of the training is a simple but powerful truth: **The body cannot lie.** Words are often unavailable, masked or unreliable—but body language always tells the truth. Participants learn how to spot early signs of dysregulation and use body-based strategies to calm, engage and build connection. When people struggle to explain what they’re feeling—or don’t even realise they’re dysregulated—their body still shows it. This course teaches participants to spot those signs early and respond in ways that bring calm, connection and cooperation. The training is especially useful for people supporting someone who is anxious, shut down, or struggling to self-regulate. We provide this training to parents and professionals supporting our ReStart participants, and also offer it more widely to schools, teams, and care settings. It’s also a powerful tool for those who want to better manage their own responses in challenging situations. Our Non-Verbals Toolbox is delivered in two sequential parts to maximise learning and impact. ## **Part 1: Face-to-Face Workshop** ## **Part 2: 2hr Online CPD-Certified Course** - Teaches how to recognise early signs of emotional dysregulation Introduces our “Green / Amber / Red” model of behaviour - Builds confidence to respond calmly and effectively in difficult situations Covers how to support others to calm, focus and re-engage - Self-paced training to deepen the learning Interactive videos, recap quizzes and printable resources - Helps apply the strategies to home, school or care settings - Includes a personal action plan and CPD certificate on completion Suitable for teams or individuals “This toolbox trains you to respond not just quickly—but strategically. I carry it with me every day. It’s a game changer.” — School SENDCo “As a foster carer supporting emotionally unregulated children, this has added real tools to our daily routines.” — Foster carer **14** ## **Reporting and evaluation** We follow a robust evaluation process to ensure our programmes are effective, impactful, and continuously evolving. As an official provider of TheHorseCourse Programmes —a highly structured, evidence-based intervention—we assess our courses in alignment with their detailed Theory of Change, which has been recognised by New Philanthropy Capital as an exemplar in the sector. This framework allows us to track progress across eight core psychosocial skills. Our outcomes not only guide service improvement, but also contribute to TheHorseCourse’s broader research base, supporting the continued validation of this proven approach. We take a multi-layered approach to evaluation, combining external tools with participant-led feedback to track both immediate and longer-term progress. ## **THC Skills Star - Feedback** Every participant’s journey begins with a Skills Star—completed by the referring professional at the point of referral. This framework tracks eight essential psycho-social skills, such as calmness, perseverance, and empathy. The same Skills Star is completed again on the final day of the programme, and once more 8–10 weeks after completion. This enables us to assess both immediate progress and whether key changes have been sustained or even strengthened over time. This year 81% of participants improved in all 8 areas of the THC Skills Star, and 100% improved in at least 4 of them—with 90% showing continued progress post-programme. ## **Participant Feedback (Self-Rated Outcomes)** Participants are also asked to reflect on their own development. At the start and end of their course (both for lighter touch or a Restarts) they score themselves out of 10 on six key areas: Their ability to manage emotions using a range of strategies (86% improved) Their ability to reflect on and talk about their feelings (71% improved) Their self-confidence (100% improved) Their communication skills (71% improved) Their relationships with peers (83% improved) Their overall self-belief (71% improved) The scores in brackets show the percentage of participants who improved in each area in 2024/2025 On average, participants rated their sessions 9.7 out of 10 for how helpful they found them. This dual perspective—professional and participant—helps us build a richer picture of impact and ensures that each individual’s voice is at the centre of how we understand success. Beyond scores and scales, we also hear powerful stories of transformation: participants who return to school, pursue further training, or re-engage with family life. Our aim is not just short-term improvement, but long-term change—and the feedback we receive from parents, referrers, and participants continues to reflect this. **15** ## **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 2024/2025 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 **----- Start of picture text -----**
DHH THC ReStart
Outcomes Measured
2024 / 2025 2 Months Post-ReStart (Studies)
DHH
100% (2023/2024) ReStart Completion 95%
83% Improved Mental 33%
Health (Anxiety)
Improved
Education/Work
83% 77%
Engagement
70% Improved 81%
Relationships
Reduction in
Problematic
67% 83%
Behaviours
90% Greater Self-Belief 78%
and Identity
**----- End of picture text -----**
These early results from our first full year delivering the ReStart shows that our work is not only delivering change—it’s creating lasting connection. Every single participant wanted to return, reflecting both the quality of their experience and the deep trust we build. As we grow, we’re building more than a service—we’re building a place people come back to when life gets hard.. “100% of our ReStart participants told us they would like to return—proof of the trust we’ve built and the lasting impact of the experience.” **16** ## **Financial Review** ## **Income** The majority of our funding came from grants, totalling £34,320 from four funders, which accounted for 90% of our income. All of this funding was restricted. In addition, we received £3861 in donations, representing 10% of our income. These donations were unrestricted, providing vital flexibility for our work. ## **Outgoings** We incurred direct delivery costs of £15,611.79 to provide 165 hours of equine-assisted sessions for 22 participants, plus 8 Non-Verbals Toolbox sessions attended by 10 participants. This covered the hire of trained horses, arena rental, facilitation fees, and volunteer expenses. During the reporting period, we also paid the final £1,137 instalment for a new shed, funded by the Screwfix Foundation, which now provides a sheltered break area and accessible toilet. The remaining £5,715.12 was spent on essential overheads, fundraising, and promotional activity, including equipment to support the new break area and toilet facilities—helping ensure safe, comfortable delivery of sessions. ## **Financial Position at Year-End** At the end of the financial period, we held £25,249.15 in restricted funds and £2,628 in unrestricted funds. Of the unrestricted funds, £750 will be retained as reserves, with the remaining balance dedicated to advancing our charitable objectives. ## **Reserves** We aim to hold unrestricted reserves equal to six months of essential running costs—such as insurance, communications, basic admin support, governance, and software. These are the charity’s only regular vital expenses and can be reduced or paused if necessary. Course-related costs are either funded in advance or commissioned with an agreed payment arrangement, and always delivered on a pay-as-you-go basis. Based on current operations, our monthly running costs total around £125, so we aim to hold at least £750 in reserves. This ensures we can remain operational and compliant during any shortterm disruption. ## **Financial Statement & Independent Examination** Attached at the end of this report is our financial statement and the independent examiner’s report. **17** ## **Future Outlook** Devon Healing Horsemanship was founded to reach those who feel stuck, overwhelmed, or left behind by traditional talk-based approaches. That mission remains at the heart of everything we do. This year has shown just how needed action-based, non-verbal interventions are. We’ve seen the transformative power of the ReStart programme, the flexibility of our Lighter Touch sessions, and the growing demand for Non-Verbals Toolbox. As we move into our second full year of delivery, our focus is clear: to deepen our impact and expand access. We plan to grow our Lighter Touch provision, particularly Top-Up sessions, so participants can return for timely support when life shifts, such as after bereavement, school transitions, family breakdowns, or other challenges. These sessions help prevent setbacks by reinforcing key learning, but available programme funding does not currently meet the level of demand. With further support, we can ensure no one loses the progress they’ve worked so hard to make. We also aim to scale our Non-Verbals Toolbox, offering more in-person workshops and reaching more parents, carers, and professionals. Our ambition is to provide every family of a young person attending our equine-assisted sessions with access to this training so they’re equipped to support emotional regulation and resilience at home. To keep pace with rising referrals, we are seeking funding for a part-time staff role focused on coordination, outreach, and sustainability. This would strengthen our ability to respond to enquiries, support funders and partners, and build long-term capacity. We’re also excited to pilot Family ReStart programmes, which begin with individual support for each family member before progressing to joint sessions. This staged approach supports emotional regulation, communication, and trust—especially for families in crisis. If you share our belief that no one should be left behind simply because talk-based therapy didn’t work for them, we’d love to work with you. We couldn’t have achieved any of this without the generosity of our funders, volunteers, and community; with your continued support, we’re ready to make an even greater difference in the year ahead. ••i•lJ iy 1?2• A•L £o.•• £sM•.o• 1•.400. ¢Q.Q• ll￿.0• uio Si•i•m*ni lof y••r •rtd•d Jlii p•mh 1•2$ (1.922 J4 (l.￿j S? (oc £0 124 41 (1S.149 15 (tyl l•*UyC•%h (0 t•. e4 CO lh• Iiu¥• P•M C¢ CHARITY COMMISSION FOR ENGLAND ANO WALES Independent examinerfs report on the accounts S•cllon A Ind•pend•nl Ex•mln•r'* R•port On •ccwits lor th• y••r 31nY2025 ¢h•rlty M 1203138 dwly Tiwl") krf y•w 311031202S 2011 {Ih• ￿). I iepyt In Tespea ol my examNlth ol lh• Trtffjt's aCCn In coiThcW Ihe •x•nwlty) 9￿$ n c*Ae to bellew thal in, matenal re8pe¢t tt*Ad giiLliJ R•l•v•nl wohs•lonal quallflcallonl•l Of body 111 •ny): S4wrny Kf16 SWZ IER O¢lob•f 2018