Pony therapy organisation launched by mum and daughter to help children canters up to 10-year milestone
'They had been rescuing horses and the idea was that they would get them fit and healthy and then pass them on'
An organisation originally set up to rescue abused and neglected ponies that has now helped thousands of children will celebrate its 10th anniversary this summer.
Ponies Help Children (PHC) earned charity status in 2015, launched by Heather Stephens and her mum Moira Ireland, it now has around 60 to 70 young people attending sessions each week.
Sadly, Moira died in 2019, just as ground was broken on a project to build an indoor equine therapeutic centre which has been named Fred.
She would have been immensely proud of the strides that her daughter and her son-in-law Wayne, Heather's husband have since taken to ensure PHC continues to help even more young people.
In January 2022 a hub site was set up at Woodhead Farm, Uddingston and is run by Ann McKenna. This helps families who may struggle with the cost of travel to the main base at Blairmains Farm near Harthill.
The charity uses the power of equine engagement as a therapy, allowing children to interact with the ponies. PHC provides a safe haven where people can engage with the ponies.
Young people who are referred to the charity through a range of agencies, including schools in Lanarkshire and West Lothian, build resilience through mindful interaction and emotional connection with the animals.
Sessions are in four eight-week blocks and help the children to learn to trust and build relationships. They also help with general wellbeing and promote social inclusion.
Wayne said: 'They had been rescuing horses and the idea was that they would get them fit and healthy and then pass them on, but they never seemed to pass them on. They decided to put the horses to use instead.
'They worked with a couple of children at a school in Harthill and saw the benefits of that. It grew from there and they started working with Help for Autism, at the beginning.
'It can help children who are autistic, or have ADHD, severe anxiety, or depression. We get referrals from CAMHS and from the schools in Lanarkshire and West Lothian, our farm sits on either side of the [local authority] boundary. 'We work with schools in Airdrie, Motherwell, Bathgate, and right across the central belt.
'We also have two miniature Shetland ponies that Heather takes out to care homes, so it's not just about youngsters. Some of the older people have dementia and can have a discussion with family members about it.'
Ponies Help Children have a number of things happening during their milestone anniversary year. A 10-strong group completed the Kiltwalk recently to raise funds.
The couple's son Calum is running 100 miles, 10 miles a day for the 10 days leading up to the anniversary on August 2. He will be taking in routes in north and south Lanarkshire and West Lothian.
The charity also had cabins brought in which have been turned into a training suite.
Wayne continued: 'We have volunteers and some of them can't go to school as they're really struggling due to anxiety and other issues and won't leave with qualifications. So we are trying to get them through SQA achievement awards and things like that with the training suite.
"So, we're not just developing the clients with the horses but our volunteers as well, and the training suite was built for that reason.
The charity also produces podcasts that can be heard via Apple or Spotify (Instagram page is phc.podcast).
'The work we have is being validated all the time through feedback forms from parents and guardians,' added Wayne. 'Parents can see their children able to sleep and more communicative and responsive to people.
'Some children are non-verbal but you can see them being calmer and not stimming too much, you definitely see the outcomes.
'We have a link with Stirling University and graduates go through all of the data, and there's been thesis written on it.'
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