Follyfoot is a not-for-profit Community Interest Company which was founded by Sisters, Sophie Morris and Claire Friend, both from Social Work backgrounds and keen equestrians. After the family had faced the life-changing challenges of Cancer and experienced first hand how much Horses helped on the road to recovery the idea of Follyfoot emerged. In 2013, with lots of combined skills and qualifications and a passion for helping others Follyfoot was born.
Our extended team of co-facilitators and volunteers provide additional value to our work and includes a clinical psychologist, mindfulness coach and counsellors.
At Follyfoot we specialise in using horses to help people affected by cancer. Follyfoot is a place where individuals or groups who have suffered life-changing or challenging experiences can come to seek comfort, gain confidence, improve communication skills or simply have fun by interacting with one of the most intuitive creatures – the horse.
Just like us, the horses at Follyfoot come in all shapes and sizes, with different personalities and needs, which helps us understand our own needs a little better. Their amazing non-verbal language can help us identify and build on our own thoughts, feelings and behaviours.
Through 1:1 or group therapeutic sessions with our horses, we use mindfulness activities to support people’s emotional well-being and mental health. Providing and safe and nurturing space for people to work on their difficulties whether it’s behaviour, fears, anxieties, trauma, bereavement, or relationships which all affect mental health. Horses are unique partners in therapeutic services as they provide a completely non-judgemental approach, mirroring individuals’ internal emotions even before the client has identified these themselves. This allows the individual to reflect on whatever is stopping them from leading a positive and fulfilling life.
Set in the beautiful village of Radnage, Buckinghamshire, Follyfoot is easily accessible yet provides a peaceful and tranquil space for our clients. We are a small, quiet, private yard so there are no interruptions to your precious time spent with us.
Our facilities enable us to work with young people and adults with physical or learning disabilities, challenging behaviour and autism.
A visit to Follyfoot can benefit anyone who feels they have a need to learn more about themselves and improve their confidence.
We raise money to support our therapeutic work through donations. All the donations received from our Pony (and Unicorn!) Parties help directly with funding the children and adults who attend Follyfoot for therapeutic support.
Here is a glimpse of what happens at Follyfoot:- A Day at Follyfoot