Wigtown Therapeutic Horsemanship receives critical funding
They work with people of all ages with behavioural challenges, mental health issues and learning difficulties.
A Wigtown-based therapeutic horsemanship has received two sufficient funding grants enabling it to continue offering its service to people with learning difficulties and behavioural challenges.
The team at Horses4Help received just under £38,000 from both Third Sector Dumfries and Galloway for Communities Mental Health and Wellbeing Fund for Adults and The Holywood Trust.
The money will go towards helping the young people and adults gain confidence and improve self-awareness through 1-2-1 sessions with the yard’s Highland and Shetland ponies and two goats who we were told love a pamper session.
This non-profit community interest company aims to bring people and horses together to benefit the service user's mental, emotional and physical well-being.
Director Julie Irvine says this means a significant deal to them because it shows that they recognise the support they provide.
“This funding will help towards the running cost for the centre, and it allows us the opportunity to greatly reduce our session costs, so it means that money isn’t a barrier for those looking to use our services.
“The money will mean that we can offer more sessions to more people and the wider community.
“Wigtown and the surrounding area is sparsely populated and accessing services can be difficult and resources are limited, leading to social isolation. This is why many people who want and need access to these services are usually not in a position to pay, so funding is vital.
“We also offer our unique ASDAN Accredited equine learning course for children who are struggling in the classroom environment. Our horses don’t judge, diagnose, label or see disorders – they respond to energy and offer profound connections.”