Becoming a NEWC Member or Associate demonstrates a clear commitment to improving the lives of equines across the UK. You’ll join a respected network of welfare charities, educational organisations, veterinary bodies and welfare-focused groups united by a shared mission.
Membership is open to:
Associate status is available to individuals or organisations that do not meet the criteria for NEWC Membership but have a primary focus on equine welfare.
Which category should I apply for?
If your organisation is a registered charity, CIC or eligible Further or Higher Education establishment, please apply for Membership.
Please note: the relevant formal status must be in place before applying for NEWC Membership. If your organisation is an unregistered charity, you must first obtain registered charitable status. Once your charitable status has been confirmed, Membership is the appropriate category for your organisation.
If your organisation is not eligible for Membership for another reason, please review the Associate requirements to see whether Associate status may be appropriate for you.
Benefits of Membership
• Recognition as an accredited organisation committed to equine welfare
• Access to NEWC’s sub-groups, networks and collaborative initiatives
• Support with welfare standards, operational practice and research
• Opportunities to contribute to unified sector responses and policy influence
• Access to shared learning, expertise and resources
• A credible mark of quality recognised across the equine sector
Benefits of Associate Status
• Engagement with NEWC’s welfare-focused networks
• Access to guidance, standards and shared good practice
• Eligibility to contribute to sub-groups by invitation
• Demonstration of your organisation’s commitment to high welfare standards
Organisations may apply for NEWC Membership if they:
• Are a registered charity, CIC, or formally constituted FE/HE establishment based in the UK
• Are actively keeping equines or have equine welfare as a principal objective
• Are able to meet NEWC Standards and, where applicable, complete the required accreditation process
Organisations keeping equines must have their main premises in the UK and undergo:
• An initial accreditation visit
• Re-accreditation every two years (alternating between self-assessment and an assessor-led review)
Fees
An annual Membership fee is payable by all Members. Fees are based on the organisation's annual income and whether it actively keeps equines.
For charities that actively keep multiple species, the annual income used to determine the fee is divided by the number of species actively kept, up to a maximum of four.
New Members pay a pro-rata fee for their first year, calculated from the Board meeting at which they are accepted.
Fees are reviewed annually by NEWC. An additional application fee may apply to cover a proportion of the costs of an initial accreditation visit.
All Members must comply with:
• All relevant UK legislation
• The NEWC Standards
• Member Regulations and all governing documents
View NEWC's: Articles of Association, Member Regulations, Standards & Guidance
For more information, please email info@newc.co.uk
Associate status is available to individuals or organisations that:
• Do not meet the eligibility criteria for NEWC Membership
• Have a primary focus on equine welfare
• Actively keep equines or have equine welfare as a principal objective
• Can demonstrate compliance with the NEWC Standards
• Complete an initial accreditation where required
• Are approved by the NEWC Board
Where accreditation is required, re-accreditation takes place every two years, alternating between self-assessment and an assessor-led review for equine keepers.
Fees
An annual Associate fee is payable by all Associates. Fees are based on the organisation's annual income and whether it actively keeps equines.
For charities that actively keep multiple species, the annual income used to determine the fee is divided by the number of species actively kept, up to a maximum of four.
New Associates pay a pro-rata fee for their first year, calculated from the Board meeting at which they are accepted.
Fees are reviewed annually by NEWC. An additional application fee may apply to cover a proportion of the costs of an initial accreditation visit.
Associates must comply with:
• All relevant UK animal welfare and operational legislation
• The NEWC Standards
• NEWC Regulations for Associates
View NEWC's: Articles of Association, Associate Regulations, Standards & Guidance
For more information, please email info@newc.co.uk