These learners would never have been given an opportunity like this if it wasn't for the hard work of the Equi-power team and the Scottish Children's Lottery funding provided"
We were delighted to be invited along to visit Equi-Power Central Scotland RDA and see how they have been utilising the £12,000 grant award that they received from the Scottish Children's Lottery in early 2022.
The organisation is an independent charity and a member group of the Riding for the Disabled Association, serving Central Scotland. They offer a range of therapeutic and sporting activities for children and adults with disabilities and additional support needs.
These activities support physical and emotional well-being, skills development, enjoyment and the opportunity to excel in equestrian sport. All of their horse riding, equestrian vaulting and equine facilitated learning sessions are run by qualified coaches with the support of a group of wonderful volunteers.
With the help of the funding the charity delivered 30 activity sessions to five local schools, benefitting 28 children and teenagers with autism, learning and physical disabilities. The teenagers took part in horse care, horse handling and riding sessions, with the primary school age children taking part in equestrian vaulting sessions.
“The pupils returned full of enthusiasm, raving about working with the horses and proudly describing their experiences."
The participants gained new physical skills, new knowledge, confidence, enjoyment, leadership skills and a sense of achievement. One of the teenagers from the older group was supported to participate as a volunteer in further sessions.
"It was lovely to see the beaming smiles of the pupils when they were working with the horses."
The funding also helped support 2 siblings with autism and ADHD attend the groups equestrian vaulting team. This allowed the siblings to exercise regularly, build strength and flexibility, form friendships, learn about teamwork, develop resilience and confidence and compete in their first British Equestrian Vaulting Para Class!
In additional to all this, 5 children also had the opportunity to attend school holiday activities in the summer of 2022 for free and the charity worked with the local education authority to pilot a therapeutic horse care and riding activity to 12 young people whose mental health had been impacted by the pandemic so much that they hadn't returned to full time education since the initial lockdown. The course grew their confidence, reduced their social isolation, lifted their mood and helped them enjoy a practical educational activity.
"One learners’ anxieties melted away in the presence if the horses, allowing her own personality to shine through."
