Your time, energy and generosity have carried us through a remarkable year.
Together, we achieved milestones that demonstrate what’s possible when compassion meets collaboration. We launched the Cancer Discovery Fund, celebrated our most impactful One Medicine Month, welcomed hundreds of voices into the new One Medicine Network, enjoyed a brilliant inaugural Golf Day, and shared the One Medicine message with clinicians, researchers and supporters at our event at the Royal National Orthopaedic Hospital in London.
None of this would have happened without you standing with us.
A moment from 2025 that stays with me
One moment I keep returning to is Kelly’s powerful webinar – a reminder of what One Medicine looks like in action. As she said:
“With the backing of Humanimal Trust, we are now in a position to take our work further, which has the potential to directly benefit both dogs and people.”
This project represents a major milestone for our mission: advancing knowledge through the study of naturally occurring disease, not experimental models. Fairer, faster, more collaborative medical progress for all species — this is what Humanimal Trust stands for.
The realities we’re navigating
Like all small charities, we’ve felt the pressures of a difficult funding environment. Economic uncertainty, increased competition for grants, and shifts in policy have required us to stay agile, creative and disciplined. These challenges have shaped our decisions, strengthened our resolve and made your support more valuable than ever.
My 2025 highlights
There were many meaningful moments this year, but a few stand out:
- One Medicine Month in May – a record number of organisations, clinicians, students and supporters joined us – amplifying our message like never before.
- Our new website and refreshed brand – a stronger, clearer platform to showcase our mission and impact.
- The Cancer Discovery Fund – a bold new step, enabling targeted, cross-species cancer research with genuine potential to transform patient outcomes.
- Launching the One Medicine Network – a space for human and animal health professionals to connect, collaborate and learn from each other. This is the future of One Medicine, and it’s growing fast.
- Our Public Guardian Involvement & Engagement survey – more than 500 of you took the time to share your views on public perceptions of clinical research in veterinary practice. We are truly grateful. Your insights will help shape a more ethical, transparent and responsible framework for veterinary research.
- Light up a Life campaign – a touching reminder of the love, memory and meaning at the heart of what we do.
And beyond these, countless moments made this year special – your stories, your fundraising challenges, and your unwavering belief in what we do.
Looking ahead: what’s coming in 2026
We enter 2026 with real purpose and momentum. Ahead of us:
- A Parliamentary Reception in April, putting One Medicine firmly on the policy agenda where it belongs.
- A deeper focus on osteoarthritis, exploring shared challenges and shared solutions across species.
- An exciting new 3-year strategy, charting our course for ambitious, sustainable and collaborative impact.
- Expanded efforts in brain health and dementia, where human–animal parallels could unlock vital insights.
- Continued growth of the One Medicine Network, increasing opportunities for connection, collaboration and inclusion.
Success this year will mean greater global awareness, stronger partnerships, more funded research – and more people joining us in not only desiring but demanding a fairer, more ethical approach to medical progress.
My own goals for the year
On a personal note, I’ll be pushing myself and stepping out of my comfort zone by training for the Antrim Coast Half Marathon and taking on the Spinnaker Tower Abseil to raise funds for Humanimal Trust. You can sponsor me at: https://www.givengain.com/project/joe-bailey-raising-funds-for-humanimal-trust. These challenges remind me of something I hold onto deeply as CEO: progress is built on courage – small steps, taken consistently, towards something bigger than ourselves.
Having a passion for my purpose in life truly helps through challenging times!
Why One Medicine matters more than ever
In 2026, as pressures on both human and animal health rise, One Medicine isn’t just relevant – it is urgently needed. Collaboration across species is not optional. It is the only path to ethical, efficient and effective medical progress.
Everyone has a role to play. Whether you share our social media posts, join our One Medicine Network, fundraise, partner with us, or simply talk about One Medicine, you help propel this movement forward.
A hopeful start to 2026
So, here’s my message as we begin the new year:
We are ready. We are excited. We are committed.
Humanimal Trust will continue to champion One Medicine with determination, optimism and integrity. Thank you for being with us every step of the way.
Here’s to progress – for humans, for animals, and for the shared future we’re building together.
Warm wishes,
Joe