New Outdoor Learning Project

An important part of our work is seeing the difference horses and ponies make in people’s lives, as well as the difference people make in theirs. Now more than ever, we know that caring for horses and ponies and being with them in nature is good for our health, happiness and wellbeing.

Coombe Park, our 80 acre Equestrian and Education centre, is where our vital equine assisted learning programmes and outdoor nature-based activities take place.

In recent months, our education officers have been developing an area of our Coombe Park woodland to use as an outdoor learning space with the help of some of our participants. We have also purchased tools, a wildlife camera, campfire equipment, den building equipment and a storage shed.

Jacob is one of our long-term participants. He has been motivated and inspired to help create and develop this space for future use.

He has been putting up fences, lopping dead branches and making bird boxes using natural materials, all of which are sympathetic to the environment.

Jacob said of the experience: “It feels good having lunch and a drink by the fire, it makes me feel calm and relaxed”.

Our Head of Education and Therapy, Dawn Neil said, “Having the woodland area as an additional learning space is wonderful, enabling the young people we support to simply be children! They are more relaxed, independent, willing to take risks, show responsibility and take notice and real care of the environment”

Find out more about our education team here.