Impact Report
2024/25 was a year of growth, resilience, and impact for The Baxter Project. As an award-winning, trauma-informed, animal-assisted early intervention, we delivered an amazing 5,455 sessions of 1:1 support, working with 903 children and young people across 55 schools and partner organisations in Wales.
Our unique model, blending trained practitioners with the calming presence of companion dogs, continues to transform how children engage with education and life. Independent evaluation confirms that our approach helps pupils regulate emotions, build trust, and re-engage with school — often where traditional therapies have failed.
A Year of Firsts
This year we expanded into North Wales for the first time, began a new partnership with 2wish (sibling bereavement charity), expanded our existing partnerships with Children's Services and TACT Cymru, and were proud to be shortlisted for three national awards recognising our impact.
We were also featured in the Children in Wales Summer 2025 Magazine, alongside leading examples of inclusive practice across Wales.
Looking ahead, we are planning to launch our Baxter and Friends storybook pilot, and will expand our services across existing local authorities and into new regions — ensuring more children benefit from early intervention before issues escalate.
When you meet children where they are, listen to their stories, and provide safety and consistency — lives change. We truly offer ‘Positive Change through Positive Engagement.’
A key priority for 2025/26 is to work more closely with EOTAS (Education Other Than At School) provisions. Our model is particularly effective in these contexts — the presence of companion dogs lowers defences, creates calm, and provides a safe entry point for trust and communication.
The Year by Numbers
Behind every statistic is a story of a child feeling safer, a family finding hope, and a school regaining focus.
Young People
Organisations
Sessions
Since Launch
Since Launch
Shortlists
This Year
Award Winning. Nationally Recognised.
Shortlisted for three national awards this year, reflecting the strength of our model, our evidence base, and our social impact.
Also featured in the Children in Wales Summer 2025 Magazine — highlighting our contribution to inclusive practice across Wales.
This data summary captures direct feedback from 903 children and young people who participated in The Baxter Project between July 2024 and June 2025. We combine quantitative results with thematic analysis of written responses to better understand our strengths and identify opportunities for development.
Session Feedback Summary — July 2024 to June 2025
Pupil feedback shows overwhelmingly positive responses across all core session outcome areas — strong evidence of the engagement, safety, and emotional relevance of Baxter Project sessions.
What Pupils Said
What They Liked Most
The most valued aspect was the opportunity to talk freely and feel emotionally supported. Pupils consistently described sessions as calming, safe, and enjoyable.
The dogs were seen as bridges to trust and emotional regulation. Many pupils described sessions as the “highlight of the week.”
What They Liked Least
The most common response was “nothing.” Over 60% of pupils reported no negative feedback at all.
A few pupils expressed a desire for more time — a clear indication of how much they valued their experience.
The Baxter Project Rating
- 84% of pupils gave the highest possible score of 5
- Not a single pupil rated below a 4
- Pupils were asked to rate on a 1–5 scale
- Demonstrates exceptional satisfaction, trust and value placed on the intervention
- Consistent results across a wide range of ages and needs
Data Analysis Conclusion
The data confirms what we consistently see in practice: The Baxter Project isn’t just delivering support — it’s delivering meaningful positive outcomes.
Pupils describe sessions as calm, enjoyable, and emotionally safe. They open up, feel heard, and begin to regulate in ways that many traditional models struggle to achieve.
The strength of our approach lies not only in what we do, but how we do it — with consistency, empathy, and creativity.
When young people ask for more time, more sessions, and more of what we offer — it’s clear that this work matters. Behind every response is a relationship that made a difference.
Collaboration is central to our approach. We know that no single organisation can meet the complex needs of young people on its own. By working in partnership, we create a stronger, more joined-up network of care around children, families, and schools.
Schools and Education Partners
This year, we added nine schools on a permanent basis and supported a further seven on a temporary two-term basis — reflecting both the high demand for our work and the confidence schools have in our impact.
Importantly, we began supporting a new school in North Wales and opened discussions with a North Wales fostering agency, laying the foundations for future growth in the region.
2wish — Bereavement Support
Our partnership with 2wish, the sibling bereavement charity, has already proven to be transformational. We are increasingly recognised as the go-to support for those too old for play therapy but not meeting the clinical threshold for counselling — a critical gap in provision.
TACT Cymru — Foster Care
Our collaboration with TACT Cymru continues to flourish. Fostered young people often carry significant challenges, from early trauma to disrupted education and complex attachment needs. Through our sessions, we help them feel calmer and start believing in their own strengths.
By working alongside schools, charities, fostering agencies, and community partners, we ensure children are never left to face adversity alone. Each collaboration strengthens the safety net — ensuring the right support is in place, at the right time, for those who need it most.
Ambitious for Growth & Innovation
In 2025/26 we are pursuing a balanced pathway: consolidating in South Wales, expanding in North Wales, embedding in EOTAS settings, and carefully making inroads into England — alongside significant innovation through storybooks, ODISSYS, and an online resource hub.
Baxter & Friends Storybook Pilot
Illustrated storybooks to reach children we cannot support in person. Each book explores trauma, anxiety, and neurodivergence in a safe, accessible way — with exploratory questions and extended resources for parents, carers, teachers, and professionals.
Expansion Across Wales
Deepening our reach in North Wales — already begun in Conwy with very positive early feedback. We remain equally committed to expanding further across South Wales, ensuring consistency and accessibility of support nationwide.
Supporting EOTAS and PRUs
A priority for 2025/26, with several settings already signed up to start. Early intervention here prevents issues escalating into long-term exclusion, poor mental health, or involvement with the justice system.
Inroads into England
Exploring pilot opportunities across the border — carefully testing how our approach can adapt while maintaining the relational quality that defines our success.
ODISSYS Development
In collaboration with Cardiff University and LexisNexis Risk Solutions, advancing ODISSYS to provide predictive insights and a school-facing dashboard. Initial roll-out will be free to gather robust data.
Online Resource Hub
Expanding the website into a digital hub for parents, carers, teachers, and professionals — hosting free downloadable resources and acting as a signposting platform connecting families to trusted services.
The Baxter Project is a Community Interest Company (CIC) with a clear asset lock and a non-profit mission. Our governance ensures transparency, accountability, and safeguarding of both finances and young people.
Board & Oversight
Three directors and a company secretary, bringing expertise from education, safeguarding, and business management. Board meets quarterly, with ad-hoc meetings as required.
Leadership & Safeguarding
The Managing Director acts as the Designated Safeguarding Lead (DSL), supported by a deputy DSL at board level. All concerns are logged securely in ODISSYS.
Policies & Compliance
Annually reviewed policies covering Safeguarding & Child Protection, Canine Welfare, GDPR & Data Protection, and Equality & Diversity. All practitioners receive regular training.
Staff & Canine Welfare
All staff hold enhanced DBS checks and receive regular supervision and CPD in trauma-informed practice. Our Canine Welfare Policy ensures risk assessments and wellbeing reviews for every animal.
Finance 2024/25
Headline figures for the year, independently managed by Llama Accounting.
Income Breakdown
A Sustainable Model
Our mixed-income approach means The Baxter Project is not dependent on any single funding source — ensuring stability and long-term sustainability.
The modest surplus was fully reinvested into service development, including staff training, canine welfare, and digital innovation. All funds are protected by a formal asset lock agreement with Elevate (Company No. 1163004), guaranteeing every pound is used for community benefit.
Thank You
- The children and young people who trust us with their stories and their journeys.
- Schools, families, and staff who welcome us into their communities.
- Funders, supporters, and our many school partners and organisations we support.
- Our practitioners and wellbeing dogs, whose daily work makes life-changing differences possible.
Every session, every story, every smile matters. Together, we continue to create positive change through positive engagement.
