Stepney Bank Stables is based in the center of Newcastle upon Tyne and houses 20 horses. The surrounding neighbourhoods are amongst the most deprived in the UK with health and education outcomes well below the national average.
Horses are an excellent 'hook' for engaging with young people; they're not for everyone but those that do love horses REALLY love horses. Horses are a fantastic medium for teaching kindness, commitment and responsibility. Horses dictate an environment of calm, quiet routine and studies show that spending time with horses reduces stress. Learning to handle a half tone animal is a huge confidence boost!
In order for young people to be able to attend the stables safely they need to go through an initial training program. This requires an experienced member of staff to guide and support them whilst they learn the skills required to effectively handle the horses. Funds raised will go to covering the costs of a worker so that a new cohort of young people can attend.
What we'll deliver:
- Support and train 48 new attendees
- Provide those 48 young people with 2 free riding lessons each
Why it's a great idea:
Growing up these days is difficult, even more so if you're growing up in poverty like many young people in the areas surrounding the stables. This year a record number of adolescents have been treated for mental health conditions. Less than half of children and young people are meeting recommended physical activity levels. Our project helps to address these issues and support young people into adulthood.
Coming to the stables provides young people with a positive activity, a safe place to be, support from caring adults, the opportunity to take part in a sport usually reserved for their more affluent peers and a chance to develop a whole new set of skills.
In the last 20 years Stepney has supported hundreds if not thousands of young people to transition into adulthood and we know from their feedback the huge positive impact attending has had on their lives. Many lifelong friendships have been forged, careers developed and transferable skills gained. We want to continue this work.
Steps to get it done:
- Deliver training for the 1st cohort of young people - January 2023
- Deliver training for the 2nd cohort - March 2023
- Deliver training for the 3rd cohort - May 2023
- Deliver training for the 4th cohort - July 2023
- Deliver training for the 5th cohort - September 2023
- Deliver training for the 6th cohort - November 2023
- Complete an evaluation - December 2023
