More than 560 children and adults experiencing metal health issues will be supported with specially designed equine-assisted programmes thanks to a grant of £15,000 from Dorset Freemasons to TheHorseCourse charity.
The charity aims to help mainly children from as young as eight who can be referred to the service by NHS mental health, social services and schools when other methods of therapy like counselling and social work have failed.
The charity offers support for a variety of needs, including an intensive five-day programme called ‘ReStart’ which helps young people experiencing bullying, school refusal, self-harm, and suicidal feelings.
The service is based on a 20 acre farm in Weymouth, on which six full-time staff, 50 supported volunteers, and up to five skilled community members help to manage the groups.
Participants will work on emotional control and confidence through rehearsing and repeating challenging but fun tasks with the horses, in exercises both with and without loose ropes.
The results of the project have been highly positive; studies found that over 70 per cent of participants experienced improved engagement with education, training or work, as well as a reduction in problematic behaviour, an improvement in relationships with peers, and increased self-belief.
The grant from Dorset Freemasons comes through the Masonic Charitable Foundation, which is funded by Freemasons, their families and friends, from across England and Wales.
Harriet Laurie, CEO from TheHorseCourse, said: 'We’re extremely grateful to Dorset Freemasons for their generous grant. It’s no doubt that COVID-19 has negatively impacted the mental health of many young people, so this grant couldn’t have come at a better time'.
'Talking therapies aren’t always the answer for issues like anxiety, bullying, and self-harm, so we’re proud to be providing an alternative method to respond to these problems'.
Peter Boyd from Dorset Freemasons, said: 'We’re really pleased to be supporting this wonderful charity which is tackling mental health in such an original way. Young people are suffering with their mental health more than ever before, so it is crucial that we support organisations like TheHorseCourse who are doing all they can to help'.
