Vulnerable children across the Isle of Wight will be able to access free riding lessons to support with their emotional health and wellbeing.
Children’s charity Barnardo’s will bring young people to the Island Riding Centre in Newport where they can ride Bailey the pony.
The Island Riding Centre was set up in 2017 and since then it has evolved and grown, providing lessons, education and therapy to children on the Island. Bailey is currently being trained at the Centre and once ready, he will be able to support children who access Barnardo’s services including counselling, sexual abuse and sexual exploitation.
Louise Buckner at the Island Riding Centre said:
“Horses provide excellent therapy in many ways whether it’s ridden or non-ridden activities. We are delighted and extremely lucky that Bailey has become a new team member. He has a kind and gentle nature and is already a favourite of the grooms and will soon be taking children on adventures of a life-time, giving unconditional love and non-judgmental therapy. We are truly very grateful and very excited about what the future holds for Bailey and the children who will benefit from him.”
Terri Hudson, Barnardo’s Children’s Services Manager said:
“We are delighted to offer the children and young people we work with the opportunity to ride Bailey and support them with improving their mental health. Many of the young people we support have experienced a lot of trauma and this is just a fantastic way to take them away from that and give them an enjoyable experience and memories to take away.”
Bailey was donated to the Island Riding Centre by Barnardo’s therapist Cariad Downer.