These projects provide a valuable intervention to young people with special educational needs, and/or are at risk of exclusion, currently not in education, employment or training….(NEET)
Our specialist projects are designed to benefit young people who may be particularly vulnerable or who are in need of emotional and wellbeing support not currently being provided by their school or other services. This bespoke projects particularly focus on working with young people who are:
· At risk of or in unhealthy relationships
· Engaging in sexting or other unsafe social media activity
· Not engaging with schools and essential services
· From disrupted home backgrounds with little or no parental support
· Displaying poor wellbeing or mental health
· Lacking in self-esteem or confidence
· Engaging in other negative behaviours that are impacting their lives & relationships
· Abusing drugs and engaging in criminal behaviour
· Have attachment wounds which mean they struggle to trust others
· At risk of offending or of criminal exploitation
Feedback from a school group that attended with a range of needs/ risk factors :
All the participants improved their communication skills, grew in confidence and worked in teams using good communication, managing of self/behaviour and all felt a sense of achievement on completion |
Feedback from both staff and children was very positive with children requesting to return to Follyfoot for further courses. Children were keen to come each week and wanting to stay on longer at the end of each session. Staff appeared to enjoy supporting the children and also got involved in some activities to encourage pupils and also for self |
Amongst many other things, participants benefit from free, weekly sessions down on the farm where they:
- Experience an introduction to the herd
- Participate in mindfulness and meditation exercises
- Gain confidence and getting ‘up close’ to a horse
- Enjoy a series of trust-building exercises with their horse
- Learn ‘horse’ language and build a lasting bond
Whilst we aim to target areas of deprivation where our work may be especially needed, there is no income or background requirement to access our services. We recognise that these issues can impact young people from all backgrounds and anyone may be in need of additional support.
If your organisation or a young person would benefit from working with us, please email us regarding referrals here: hello@follyfoot-horses.org