FINDING O YOUR * FEETI Trustees, Annual Report & Financial Statements for the year ended 31st March 2025 , Jif• Contents An introduction from our Management Team Our year in numbers Trooper story: Dayna Trooper story: Andy Reference & administrative details structure, governance & management Risk management staff & training Board of Trustees Amp-bassadors Our story so far Principal aims & delivery of support Key outputs Supporling our Troopers Trooper survey results Well-being support Face-to-face clubs Online clubs Trooper feedback The FfF Charity Hub Press coverage Online awareness & social following Grant fvnding Fundraising Our events & campaigns Corporate support Supporter fundraisers Indmdual donors Schools and young supporters Volunteers Membership organisations Financial review 10 10 12 14 15 16 17 18 18 18 22 24 24 26 26 28 28 30 31 31 31 32 34 34 34 35 35 36 36 39 40 41 Going concern Declaration Statement of Trusteeg report responsibilities Independent auditorfs report Statement of financial activithes Balance sheet Notes to the financial statements We've also worked hard to remove barriers like travel and anxiety by offering a growing range of online clubs and emolional support sessions. Ifs made o real difference. Last year. 16% of Troopers said travel was a barrier to joining in, and 19% struggled with anxiety about attending in person. This year. both of Ihose figures. from our annual survey. dropped to 0%. We're excited to keep building on that progress. Volunteers remain vital to our work. Whether ifs offering exlra support. stepping in when needed or simply mokn.ng time for a chat, their commitment goes beyond the day- lo-day. That shared drive and compassion conlinue to shape the cuhure of FYF and the quality of support we provide. We now have 39 regularly supporting us and another 70 ready to step in when n￿ded. Many check in with Troopers who are struggling or unable lo attend clubs. making sure no one misses out on support. Others hosl clubs, drive, garden and more. Their time and energy help us reach more people and keep Ihe FYF spiril alive. We also wanl lo take a moment to acknowledge Ihe 33 Troopers we lost Ihis year. They were part of our family. ond theyre d￿PIY missed by staff, volunteers and fellow Troopers. Their loss is felt across clubs and conversations. and we'll continue to honour Iheir memory in all we do. This year has been all about fi-nding our f￿1 again. After a period ofchallenge and change. 2024 to 2025 saw us stepping foMard with more strength, more focus and a renewed sense of purpose. Our Day Hub continues to be a big part of what we do but we've had to look at it V￿th fresh eyes. We've moved from individual day lels to longer-lerm tenanls. reducing slaff hours and cutting costs. Two rooms are still available. butthe new setup is already helping us run Ihe building more efficien1￿ wilhout compromising what we offer. Our team is stronger than ever. We said goodbye lo one staff member and welcomed Iwo others. each bringing fresh ideas and energy. The biggest strenglh Ihough. is how well Ihe whole team works logether. We have Ihe right people in the right roles, doing vthal Ihey do best. 11 was also a year of celebralion. Finding Your Feel turned 10. a major mileslone and the perfed opportunity lo recognise everylhing we've achieved together. We marked it with a packed calendar of events and fundraisers. including a huge￿ successful Inca Trail Irek where the two of us. along with 27 others raised over £60,000. ays: We also took a moment this year to recognise Ihe latost in a long lisl of a personal achievemenls. ould n￿der shoul about tl herself. so I'll do It for hor. In September. she was awarded the Self Management Champion Award by the Health and Social Care Alliance Scotland. Ifs a huge honour and a well-deserved one. Her honesty. slrenglh and lived experience continue to shape FYF and inspire everyone around her. Clubs continue to be the beating heart of FYF. What really sels Ihe leam apart is the care Ihey show for our Troopers and each olher. Our Trooper community has grown to over 1,500. Thafs more than 200 new people in Ihe pasl year. Many of Ihese new connections came Ihrough NHS slaff. families and good old word of mouth. Irs a reminder Ihat our message is getting out there and Ihat people know vthere lo turn when they need support. From a chal and a cuppa at our 'Ampu-Teas' club to online sessions. swimming to singing. Ihefre how Troopers conned, stay adive and support each other. Over the year we increased the number of clubs we run by12%. shaped by dired feedback from our Troopers. That effort is paying off. 95% of Troopers told us their emotional well-being has improved since joining. We're pleased to report a surplus this year thanks to careful planning. smart decisions and a whole lot of hard graft from our brillianl team. Every penny was counted and every decision was made with our Troopers in mind. Looking ahead lo 2025 to 2026 our focus is on doing what we do even better. We'll keep listening. learning and making meaningful chonges. We've come a long way and we're nol done yet. One of Ihe highlights has been the transformation of our Charity Hub garden. Thanks to dedicated grant support, including our biggesl single award to dale. we'velurned il inlo a beauliful. fully accessible space for clubs. events. quiet moments and connection. What was once overgrown and underused is now full of lrfe, colour and people coming togelher...and ifs only just getting slarted. on e Manogement Team **Our year in numbers How we stood strong together in 2024–25** **1,500+ 890 360** people affected by physical fitness sessions social meet ups amputation or limb absence supported **158 137 93** emotional well-being counselling sessions skills development sessions workshops **2,182 93 472** 1:1 and outreach calls amputees met by Peer support plans created with made Support Volunteers at Troopers hospital visits lost her leg to cancer over 25 years ago, when she was just a child. For years, she had no access to peer support, something she now realises would have made a huge difference. That’s why, when she found FYF, everything changed. **“Finding Your Feet changed my life in so many ways,” she says. “I will be forever grateful for what they’ve given me back - myself, and a sense of purpose to help others.”** Becoming a mum was another big turning point. Her son is now a lively toddler, and says parenthood has been one of the most fulfilling and eye-opening, experiences of her life. **“At first I was constantly thinking, am I holding him right? Am I doing this right? Am I being the mum he needs? I quickly learned that, no matter my amputation, all I had to do was approach everything with the love and care I feel for him and it would be okay and it was. At the end of the day, being an amputee doesn’t really come into it. I’m just his mum.”** is now a Peer Support Volunteer, visiting new amputees in hospital and offering encouragement in those early, often overwhelming, days. She also attends regular clubs and has become a much-loved part of the community. 7 After losing his leg in 2023 due to vascular issues, elt like he had lost everything. The ph challenges were tough, but the emotional ones hit even harder. He became isolated, struggling to see a way forward, and admits he didn’t think he’d still be here if it wasn’t for FYF. One of the biggest turning points for Andy was reaching out to our Well-being Team for counselling. He said the support helped him open up in a way he hadn’t been able to before. With time, he began to feel more in control and more like himself again. **ame along to one of our AmpuTeas sessions and was immediately struck by how friendly and welcoming everyone was.** It was the first time he’d spoken to people who genuinely understood what he was going through. From there, he started attending regularly - not just to our social meet-ups, but to bowling and other clubs too. Slowly, things started to change. In his own words, he went from **“hiding away and doing nothing” to getting back out in the world** . He’s lost weight, moved from a wheelchair to walking with a stick, and has even found the confidence to share his story in the hope it helps someone else. He’s passionate about encouraging more men to talk about mental health and says he’ll never stop telling people what a difference FYF made to him. ## **Reference and administrative details** **Charity name:** Finding Your Feet **Charity registration number:** SC044572 **Legal form:** SCIO **Governing document:** SCIO Constitution **Office & registered address Management team:** **Banks:** Charities Aid Foundation (CAF), RBS, Flagstone (savings platform) **Statutory Auditor:** Consilium Audit Limited, 169 West George Street, Glasgow G2 2LB ## **Structure, governance and management** Finding Your Feet is a Scottish Charitable Incorporated Organisation (SCIO), governed by a Board of Trustees, who are also the charity’s only members. We operate under our Constitution, first adopted on 26 November 2014 and last updated on 27 July 2020. New Trustees can be proposed by the Founder, CEO or Trustees, with appointments confirmed by majority vote at a Board meeting. Each year, one third of Trustees (those who have served the longest since their last election) retire by rotation. Retiring Trustees are eligible for immediate reelection, and there is no limit to the number of terms they may serve. Trustees may resign at any time. The Board has overall responsibility for the charity’s governance and strategy. Day-to-day operations are delegated to the Management Team, which comprises the Founder, CEO and one Trustee. Trustees receive regular updates and reports, and the Board meets quarterly as well and at the AGM. Troopers are at the centre of everything we do, and their input helps shape the delivery and development of our services and projects. ## **Risk management** We review charity risks regularly as part of a monthly review by the Founder & CEO, and annually by the Board. These reviews cover financial security, sustainability and governance. All policies, procedures and our risk register are reviewed on a regular basis and approved by Trustees. 8 9 ## **Board of Trustees** ## **Staff and training** This year we said goodbye to our Fundraising Co-ordin brought to Finding Your Feet during her time with us. d thank her for everything she We also welcomed two new faces to the team ined as our Fundraising Manager, bringing fresh energy, valuable experience and big pla row our fundraising. Jamie came on board as Grants Officer and has already secured funding from the applications he submitted. Both are focused on keeping the income coming in so we can keep supporting the people who need us. Training remained a priority across the year, with staff completing 55 courses in total. This included health and safety, well-being, IT and more. The higher number this year was mainly due to a ## **Amp-bassadors** 10 11 Beyond dired support, we work to shrft how society s￿S amput￿s. We run campaigns and delNer education around lopics like sepsis. organ donation. diabetes and menlal health. helping Ihe wider public understand Ihe realities of limb loss. Our sepsis campaign with the Scottish Government increased awareness of Ihe condilion by 77%. helping people spot the signs earty and. in many cases, saving lives. c￿er Ihe years. we've reached some incredible mileslones. In 2018. Cor was the firsl female quadruple ampulee lo summil Mount Kilimanjaro. In 2020, she became Ihe fi.rst Scottish recipient of o double hand Iransplant. a momenl thal raised nalional awareness of life after amputation. In 2021. we opened the FYF Chorty Hub in the heart of Paisley. It gave us a place to call our forever home and provided a shared space for other charities. social enterprises and community organisations too - Ifs an incredibly vibranl centre. on important resource in the heart of Paisley, supporting collaboration, peer learning and resource sharing belween vital charitoble organisalions in Renfrevlshire. In June 2013. Cor was given a 5% chance of survival after sepsis and pneumonia led to Ihe amputation of her hands and legs below the knee. Jusl four months later, she was walking on prosthetic legs. A single mum wilh no peer support around her. Cor realised that while the NHS could help with her recovery, it couldnl offer support for Ihe emotional and social side of life after limb loss. Ihe emotional and social gaps thal slatutory core often can't. helping people feel like themselves again. We now run clubs in Aberdeen. Ayrshire. Dumfries. Dundee. Edinburgh. Fife. Glasgow. Inverness, North Lanarkshire, Paisley, South Lanarkshire and Stirlingshire. These range from swimming. gym sessions and yoga to having a cuppa and a chat at Ampu-Teas. We olso offer I:1 support. emotional well-being sessions and 24/7 p￿r support through our online forums. In 2024. Cor was awarded an MBE foi her ongoing advocacy and impad, receiving the honour from Princess Anne. Thal same year, we celebraled10 years of FYF. A whole decade of standing strong logelher. So in 2014. she founded Finding Your Feet. a charity built on community. connedion ond lived experience. We're proud of how far we've come, but our slory is far from over. We conlinue to grow our support. slrenglhen our team and reach more people affeded by limb loss. Thenamesays iloll. Ifsnotjustoboullearningto walk or adapt physically. but about rebuilding confi"dence, identity and a sense of purpose after ampulation or limb absence. FYF began as a small group of 3 or 4 ampulees meeting for coffee. Today. we support more than 1.500 Troopers lour name for the ampul￿ we supportl and their families across Scotland with clubs, counselling, peer support and well-being services. f it wasn t for FYF I wouldn't be here. plain and slmple! They saved my life!- Our aim is simple. We wanl to make sure no ampulee in Scotland ever f￿lS alone. We fi.ll 12 13 Principal aims and delivery of support Isolation is o huge challenge for many amputees. Studies have shown that without strong social connections, quality of lrfe and even life expedancy can be much lower. We welcome all amput￿ and individuals V￿th limb absence, regardless of age, background. religion, ethnicity, disability, gender, sexualty or political belief. Our support is rooted in friendship, understanding and knowing exadly how it feels - because we've been there loo. While our core areas for face-lo-face services include Aberdeen. Ayrshire. Dumfries. Dundee. Edinburgh. Frfe. Glosgow. Inverness. North Lanorkshire. Paisley. South Lanarkshire and Stirlingshire. geography is never a barrier lo accessing our support. If you can't get to o group in person, you're still very much part ofthe FYF family. Our online sessions. phone support and digilal activities mean we can reach ompulees wherever Ihey are in Scolland. Whether ifs peer support. counselling. or jusl a friendly chat. we'll moke sure you're not facing Ihings alone. As maryas 30% of vascularamputeesdontrsurvivethefirstyearafteramputation, and sadly that figure rises to 50% within two years.. We're determined to change Ihat. The righl support can be life-changing. whether ifs a chat over o cuppa or a steady hand on the firsl swim back. Thafs why we offer a mix ofservices lo suit different needs. They help people feel less alone, more confident and more like themselves again. Through our Well-being Team. we offer I:1 emotional and pradical support shaped by whal each person needs. Thal might mean lislening wilhoul judgemenl. guiding someone to other services. arranging peer support or providing access lo counselling. However we help. every bit of support is fr￿ of charge. Everylhing we do is guided by some simple but important aims: 'Research by niith PhD. 2018 Provide accessible support to anyone in Scotland affected by amputation or limb absence. Key outputs Change perceptions about disability and how people see those with limb difference Building a Positive communty where amputees can share experiences and support each other. Lead by example and inspire our Troopers to push boundaries. Reaching more amputees early on in their joumey through our outreach work. Be the leading national charity supporting amputees and people with limb absence from all walks of life. Helping people feel heard, valued and more confident through a strong support network. Offer emotional. physical and social support. all under one roof. Reducing isolation and making it easier to socialise by offering free clubs and adivilies. Help people stay connected to their communities, reduce isolalion and build confidence and independence. Raising aworeness and challenging perceptions of amputation through community engagement, giving amputees a stronger voice. Champion inclusion and accessibilty in everyday life. Breaking down barriers so more amputees can take part in physical adivity. Support progress in prosthetic research and development. 15 In the past year, 220 new amputees joined the FYF family. We’re now supporting nearly 1,550 Troopers and their families across Scotland. But given that over 800 amputations take place in Scotland each year we want this number to grow, and we are actively working on this. A new project focused on further strengthening relationships with NHS teams is already underway. By building closer links with more healthcare professionals, we hope to raise awareness of the support we offer and encourage more direct and indirect referrals. We’ve also continued to grow the support that we offer. The number of clubs we run has increased by 12%, with a total of 17,495 attendances, a 15% rise on last year. Our new feedback forms are helping us tailor activities more closely to what our Troopers want, and we’re already seeing the benefits. Emotional support has been a key focus. We’ve increased the number of emotional well-being sessions by 31%, which has led to a 15% rise in attendance for those clubs alone. Most categories have grown, reflecting the feedback we’ve received and the ongoing changes we’ve made to meet the needs of the people we support. We’re confident this will increase attendance for the year ahead. **----- Start of picture text -----**
24 – 25 % increase 24 – 25 % increase
Activity type
Sessions On 23 - 24 Engagement On 23 - 24
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|**Activity type**|**24 – 25**
**Sessions**|**% increase**
**On 23 - 24**|**24 – 25**
**Engagement**|**% increase**
**On 23 - 24**| |---|---|---|---|---| |||||| |Physical Fitness|890|17%|7,757|19%| |Social Activities|360|3%|2,796|3%| |Emotional
Well-being|158|31%|6,055|15%| |Skills
Development|93|-12%|700|18%| |Information
Sessions|9|-10%|187|15%| |Total|1,510|12%|17,495|14%| Our activities this year gave our Troopers the chance to try new activities, build confidence and feel part of a community. Every club, chat and cuppa played its part in helping our Troopers feel more connected, more confident and more themselves. **adventure weekend with the Calvert Trust Q&As with physios and prosthetists massage music cafés knitting benefits, legal advice, digital skills sign language yoga barbers crafts fluid art axe throwing Ampu-Teas swimming Equip for Life course animation quizzes Zumba financial guidance journaling family fun day at Craigtoun Park golf** ## **Trooper survey results** Each year, we ask our Troopers to share their thoughts on what’s working well and where we can do better. This helps us keep the charity Trooper-led and make sure we’re offering the right support in the right way. The responses were full of insight and ideas, and they’re already helping to shape what we do next. ## **Here are some of the highlights** ## **99.1%** **96%** **96%** would recommend FYF to other amputees or people with limb absence said it’s important to be feel less isolated since able to share experiences joining with others in the same position **95%** **94%** said their emotional well-being has improved feel part of a community 16 17 Online dubs Awareness is u Only 2% said Ihey di n'l know about online clubs. down from 9% last year. We've grovm our I:1 support, offering tailored advice and guidance, and expanded our information sessions lo cover key concerns raised byTroopers- from proslhelics and legal advice to digitol safety and getting online. We know Ihe cost-of-living challenges are still hitting hard, so we're supporting Troopers with easy-to-follow info sheets. social media conlent. free adivities and I:1 support calls from our Well-being Team. Mental health remains a core focus, with regular check-ins, counselling sessions and well-being calls helping Troopers feel heard. understood and less alone. Access is better No one reported issues wtlh equipment or inlernet being barriers. compared lo 7% lasl year. Fewer unsure responses 23% gave another reason for not attending, down from 40% last year. Our recent survey ig ig te growing interest in getting involved. and we're exciled to keep growing this incredible team. Face-to-face dubs Travel barriers are down Travel barriers dropped lo 0%. down from 16% lasl year. Anxie is down Anxiety a oul attending in person olso fell lo 0%, down from 19% last year. More people are attending Only 5% gave another reason for not altending, down from 52% lost year. Awareness has improved 0% said Ihey didn'l know about Ihese clubs, compared lo 7% last year. With NHS wailing lists for mental health support at an all-lime high. our in-house counselling sepiice has become more important Ihan ever. Last year we delivered 137 counselling sessions by phone, video and in person. F￿dback has been incredibly positive. and ifs clear Ihis support is making a real dtfference. We've seen a rise in female Troopers accessing Ihe service. wilh 58% of sessions for women and 42% for men. To help shift thal balance. we plan to create more largeted conlent encouraging male Troopers to reach out. Since introducing our counselling agreemenl and improving how we collect feedbacl n0-shoV￿ and cancellations have also reduced. In the last year. our volUnt￿rS made 797 peer support calls. On top of that. our team made 323 well-being calls. 222 welcome calls to new Troopers and 71 check-in calls to regulars who'd missed a club. With support from CX Services, owned by one of our Trust￿5, we also carried oul 840 extra club calls lo encourage involvemenl. Thafs a lotal of 2.182 calls. a 253% increase on Ihe previous year. Our Peer Support volUnt￿rS also visited 93 people in hospital. offering encouragemenl and showing new amputees there's life after limb loss. These results show thal our emolional and peer support is making o real difference. Troopers are feeling more confident. more conneded and more able to take part. We'll keep building on Ihis progress, especially in digital oreas. That includes expanding our online workshops. offering exlra guidance for Ihose who need a hand accessing the calendar, and crealing short, helpful videos for anyone unsure how lo get involved. We wanl every Trooper to feel confidenl navigaling the support on offor. both in person and online. so no one is left oul. Well-being support We're also proud to see more Troopers slepping up to become volunteers themselves. Well-being is at the heart of everylhing we do. Our support is shaped bywhat Troopers tell us they need. and Ihis yearlhafs meant adapting quickly to new challenges. We created 472 new support plans over the course of the year, up 252% on lasl year. It Shov￿ not just an increase in Ihe support we've delivered, bul also in the need we're responding lo. Much of that need centres around mental health, housing, benefits, grants, phantom pain. legal issues. proslhetics. wheelchair advice. isolalion. digital support. driving. accessibility and the cost-of-living crisis. Registering for clubs remains a challenge. Our Trooper Agreement hos helped slightly, bul Ihere's still work to do. We continue lo encourage everyoneto registersowe can plan safely and effedively. We've also introduced a monthly email to anyone allending without registering, exploining why it matters and offering support for those finding it tricky. The issues are real and often complex, but we've worked hard to meet them with pradical solutions. emotional support and a listening ear. 18 19 Our Ampu-Teas sessions in Paisley remain a firm favourite; full days packed with activities and workshops based on what Troopers ask for. Thanks to Tesco donating fruit, we’re nudging healthier habits, and we always make sure no one goes hungry. Lunch is free, and there’s always plenty of tea, coffee and cake thanks to our brilliant volunteers. While Paisley is our largest and most active Ampu-Teas, we also host regular meetups across Aberdeen, Ayrshire, Dumfries, Dundee, Edinburgh, Fife, Glasgow, Inverness, North Lanarkshire, Paisley, South Lanarkshire and Stirlingshire. These sessions focus on bringing people together over a cuppa and conversation, offering a consistent space for connection and We also ran our third Family Fun Day, this time at Craigtoun Park, with another planned this July at the Scottish Deer Centre, kindly sponsored by Persimmon Homes. These days are a brilliant chance for Troopers and their families from across Scotland to come together, make memories and enjoy a proper day out. Our second adventure weekend with the Calvert Trust was another highlight. It was packed with firsts, encouragement and friendship, not just between our Troopers but also with Amputation Foundation, another amputee charity from England. That shared experience was powerful. Everyone came away with new confidence, stronger bonds and a few stories to tell. Our third trip is already booked for September 2025, and thanks to National Lottery funding, more people can take part without financial barriers getting in the way. We also took a big step forward this year with our Equip for Life programme. Thanks to a three-year grant from the Health and Social Care Alliance’s Self Management Fund, we ran two courses at the FYF Hub in Paisley between October 2024 and March 2025. Each group of five Troopers took part in a coach-led, peer-informed journey of self-management. The course was co-produced with our Troopers and volunteers, designed specifically for amputees to rebuild emotional resilience, reconnect with identity and form habits that support mental well-being. Feedback has been incredible. Participants told us it gave them back a sense of control, purpose and hope. We’re now developing an online version to make the course accessible to more people across Scotland and beyond. ## **“The Equip for Life course has made me feel that I am worthy and not hopeless.”** **“It has made a difference in how I look at my self worth. I feel more confident about myself and this will in turn help me deliver to others through my volunteering.”** **“I feel totally different about myself, like a completely different person. My husband always says he wishes I could see myself through his eyes, now I’m beginning to, I never thought that would happen.”** **“I have really benefited from the course, my mental health has vastly improved and I’m looking forward to a brighter future.”** **“Really enjoyed the course. It has changed my mindset and made me more positive about myself.”** **“Big growth in self-awareness and focus for my goals, while being kinder to myself, especially when things get tough.”** We’re proud of the impact this work is having. It’s proof that with the right support, the right people and a whole lot of heart, life after amputation can be full of connection, confidence and community. 20 21 > **Trooper feedback** “ “ Our Trooper Forum continues to grow and plays a big part in making sure we stay Trooper-led. It helps us listen, learn and take action across all areas of our work. Following a suggestion from our most recent survey, we’re now planning to assign a named staff member to each region so that Troopers have a clear point of contact. This will help us better meet local needs and expectations, both for individuals and groups. We’ve also launched a new feedback form for our clubs, which goes out every fortnight to Troopers who’ve recently attended a session. It gives us regular insight into what’s working, what could be improved and what new clubs people would like to see. **“Knowing FYF are there is a huge comfort, they have also been very inclusive, welcoming and I’ve had opportunities to do things as an amputee which I know I wouldn’t have had without their support”** **“When I became an amputee, there was nothing, no info, no groups, no social network etc. I think it’s wonderful to now have FYF to look out for amputees.”** All of this feedback helps shape the way we work. It lets us know if a club needs tweaking, if something new might be possible, or if there’s a better way to do things. It also strengthens our grant applications by giving us real voices and stories to share, showing the difference FYF makes to people’s lives. “ **“Thanks, FYF for everything you do for amputees. We are all different people facing various challenges, but many difficulties can be overcome by the support and kindness of other amputees who have experienced the same or similar situations.”** “ “ **experienced the same or similar situations.” “Finding your feet is everything “FYF is whatever you want to me, FYF changed so many it to be, you can take as things in my life my mental much of the help and** “ “ **health, physical health and support you need or as avoiding the loneliness” little, it’s your choice.” “I’d be lost without my** **“I’d be lost without my weightlifting session every week! Thank you FYF! And Cor’s journey has been a huge inspiration for me; I’ll be forever grateful for her support during the early days of my amputations.”** **“Finding Your Feet are brilliant and without them new amputees would have no direction in their lives. FYF can help you with those first confusing steps which can make or break a person’s life when they have had life changing surgery.”** **Cor’s journey has been a** “ **huge inspiration for me; I’ll “Finding Your Feet feels like a life jacket under the seat in an be forever grateful for her aeroplane. You know it’s there, and if you need it you can use it support during the early days quickly, safely and easily and can be confident that it will provide of my amputations.” you with the help you need at that time. I just don’t need it yet because I’m still flying high.”** “ “ “ **“This really is a life “FYF are providing great social, physical changing charity. All the & well-being support. Fantastic opportunities that FYF offer opportunities to get together with other has changed my life for the amputees where we can support one better. You guys’ rock!” another and have fun together.”** **“Running a charity can’t be easy and probably feels like a thankless task at times. But keep up the good work. The work you do is critically important and is absolutely changing many lives for the better. You guys have my deepest, sincerest level of respect and thanks for that.”** 22 23 Press coverage We continue to have a slrong relationship with the media. helping us share Ihe slory of FYF and the peoplewe support. Coverage across online plarforms. newspapers. radio. television and podcasts has played a big part in raising awareness of limb loss and the work we do across Scotland. Recenl highlights include Cor completing Ihe Inca Trail lo Machu Picchu. a powerful segment on ITVS This Morning featuring Ihe sisler of Corfs hand donor vthich was also shared by the Press Association. and Trooper Andfs story which formed Ihe heart of our Christmas campaign. These momenls help us reach new audiences and remind people why this work motters. In lotal we had 34 pieces of coverage across articles. inlerviews. menlions or podcasts. Every one ofthese helped raise awareness of amputation. share our Troopers, slories and show the wtal role P(F plays across Scolland. story Highlights Our Charity Hub in Paisley continues to be a central part of lrfe at Finding Your Feel. Ifs a welcoming base for our leam. a safe and social space for our Troopers. and a shared home for other charities and organisations we work alongside. Ihe Hub and across the third sector. We regularly hosl community meelings. Iraining sessions and collaborative events. supporting slronger connedions and shared learning across the local voluntary sedor. Outside, Ihe garden has become a much-loved part of the Hub. Wilh accessible palhs. Wi-Fi. colourful murals and a new podcasl studio funded through recent granls and donations, it offers a welcoming and creative space for Troopers. staff. volunteers. and visrtors. It is increasingly used by olher local groups for well-being sessions. gardening adivities and informol get-togethers, helping foster a sense of communty throughout the Hub. Over the pasl year. we've made a few changes to help manage the space more sustainably. We've moved away from one-off day lets. which were lime-inlensive for slaff. and focused inslead on securing longer-lerm tenants. Mostofihesecond floor is nowlet. with just Iwo rooms still available. We're continuing to prioritise permanent arrangements that keep Ihings running Smooth￿ and support the wider sedor. These changes have helped us make the besl use of the space and k￿p Ihe heart of FYF open to everyone who needs it. The rental income from the Hub provides a sleady slream of support thot helps underpin the charivs long-lerm sustainability. On our ground floor, Ampu-Teas area remains a vibrant. flexible space used not only by us for clubs, counselling, drop-ins ond events, but also by other organisations based wilhin 24 25 **Other supporters included** ## **Online awareness and social following** Alongside media coverage, we continued to build awareness through our social channels. While our follower numbers remained steady, we focused on meaningful engagement and sharing more of the FYF story online. Over the coming year, we’re reviewing our approach across platforms and planning content that helps more people connect with the charity. That includes expanding further into TikTok and YouTube to share community stories, behind-the-scenes moments and the real impact of our work. **----- Start of picture text -----**
Platform March 2024 March 2025
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|**Platform**|**March 2024**|**March 2025**| |---|---|---| |||| |Facebook|14,993|15,244| |X|2,909|2,808| |LinkedIn|1,136|1,225| |Instagram|1,715|1,816| |Youtube|364|367| |Mailing List|3,592|4,367| |Web hits (average per month)|3,069|4,833| ## **Grant funding** This year saw strong progress in our grant fundraising. We increased our capacity and consistency, which allowed us to apply for a wider range of grants, large and small, while keeping on top of all the reporting that comes with success. We submitted 60 applications and were awarded 21 successful grants, raising £159,552 for programme costs and surpassing our annual target (however £84,873 of this will be spent in 20252026). We also secured a total of £97,041 in additional grants which were outwith our programme costs target. A major highlight was receiving support from every Third Sector Interface we applied to for Scottish Government Communities Mental Health and Well-Being Funding. These included Engage Renfrewshire, Glasgow CVS, Edinburgh VOC, Aberdeen CVO, TACT Ayrshire, DVVA Dundee and Highland TSI. This consistent backing from Third Sector Interfaces across Scotland highlights the growing recognition of the positive impact FYF is making at a local level and reflects the trust placed in us to deliver meaningful support in communities across the country. **Agnes Hunter Trust, Alexander Moncur Trust, Bruce Wake Charitable Trust, Global’s Make Some Noise, Health and Social Care Alliance Scotland, HFD Foundation, Hugh Fraser Foundation, Mazars Charitable Trust, National Lottery Community Fund Scotland, People’s Health Trust, People’s Postcode Trust, Renfrewshire Council Leisure Grants, Shell, Souter Charitable Trust, Sported, Stagecoach, St James’s Place Foundation, Swarco, The Meikle Foundation and The Screwfix Foundation.** A standout achievement was securing our biggest single award to date. A grant of £92,245 from Renfrewshire Council’s Sustainable Communities Fund supported the transformation of our Hub garden, however a small portion of this will be completed in 2025-2026. This funding allowed us to build on the work we began in 2022 to reclaim the derelict space behind the building. It’s been a true team effort, shaped by ideas from our Troopers and the 11 other charities based at the Hub. donation from has opened up creative opportunities for young Troopers and tenant organisations alike. We’ve made the garden fully accessible with wheelchair-friendly paths, planting areas and seating, added power and Wi-Fi to each archway, and introduced features to encourage wildlife and create a calming, welcoming space. A new podcast and tech studio, funded by a generous £15,000 The space is now full of life, colour and community, and is being used for outdoor clubs, creative sessions and well-being activities that offer something a little different. As a stand-alone project, this funding sits separately from our programme costs. We’re also hugely grateful to Network Rail for providing us with the garden space at a peppercorn rent, which made this transformation possible. In a tough funding climate, we’re proud of what we’ve achieved. It’s not just about the income raised. It’s about broadening our reach, building trust with new funders, and delivering support that reflects the needs and ideas of our community. 26 27 chri5th￿S Campaign Thanks to a heartfell video from Trooper Andy. plus support from corporate fundraisers. a festive raffle and o prize ouclion, this was our strongesl festive campaign yet. Kfftwdks Troopers. staff and supporters laced up their boots ond raised thousands at Killwalk evenls across the country. Fundraising is what keeps our work going. Every evenl. donalion and challenge taken on in our name helps us support people living wilh ampulation or limb absence across Scotland. step sUperhW￿ Challenge In February, fundraisers slepped, Wh￿Ied or walked their way lo this brilliant total. This year, we roised a lotol of £84,087 through FYF-organised events and campaigns. Supporters and partners who took the initiative to run their own fundraisers raised an addilional £30.917. Personal donations totalled £18.043 and corporale donations added anolher £42.891. Over 200 Gifts in Kind were donated, ranging from services to prizes and physical goods. Items that diredly supported our running costs, where a cash volue was known, amounted to £9,859. A further £7.914 came from donated prizes and olher contribulions Ihat. while nol reducing our costs, were invaluable for fundraising events. The Irue value was much grealer. though - these gifts helped us develop the garden. raise funds. and support our Troopers. Irs A Knockout Our fun-filled corporale leam challenge was a massive hit. With teams diving headfi.rst into Ihe spirit of Ihe day. it was a brillianl mix of competition. camaroderie ond chaos. Our events and campaigns Bucket Collections A big thank you lo Tesco Linwood and Braehead for welcoming us in store. These colledions raised vilal funds and awareness. .880 Cold Water Challenge oper Lisa Denmark and our under Cor braved freezing alers to roise money and spark conversalions. ummer Thanks to everyone who donaled prizes or bought tickels. Every entry helped us support more ampulees across Scolland. 28 29 Corporate support Supporter fundraisers We're hugely IhankFul to all the businesses who supported us Ihis year. A special shoutout to Ihose who donaled £l.000 or more: A huge Ihonk you to everyone who took on a challenge or organised their own fundraiser for FYF Ihis year. It means so much when Troopers and their families and friends choose to raise money lo support others living with ampulalion or limb absence. We can'l lisl every single name here. but we are truly graleful for every effort and every pound raised. Bailliecth eAva ql JED A few highlights include: hprdeen Troopers raised £3.297 through their Swimathon and Race Night oised £3.095 at her April charity nighl in support of her mum. one of our brilliantTroopers ub quiz brought in £l.280 d £1.896 wilh a wild swim and Amazonia challenge in memory of his uncle, a much-loved Trooper Troope -ied £556 Ihrough Ihe sale of his slunning diamond art. each piece takes weeks to comp a real sense of purpose Amp-bassado eilidh raised £l.000 Our marothon ard holf morolhon runners brought in more Ihan £3,000 volunt￿r5 ised £590 with their Bingo Tea fundraiser Nci rf4ORK MATHESON DAMP SERVICES MOQAN Olivets Travds wrALTN ¥AMAqt¥rNT Slater Cffl Persimmon +Gordon THOMAS FRANKS L