Ride High transforms the lives of the most disadvantaged and vulnerable children in Milton Keynes. We effect lasting change in their attitude, self-confidence and life prospects so they become happy young people who are positively engaged in the outside world.
All the children are referred to us by childcare professionals so we can prioritise those most in need of our help. Each faces overbearing challenges that make everyday life a struggle. Many are very poor or non-school attenders when they join us.
88 children come to us every week and follow a programme of structured learning which includes riding and caring for the horses and associated educational and creative projects in our clubroom. Time spent with the horses promotes confidence, responsible behaviour, trust and pride. Clubroom activities teach life skills such as literacy, communication and teamwork.
Ride High uses horses as a vehicle to transform the lives of these desperately sad children whose situations have been exacerbated by the pandemic and may have attempted suicide; resorted to self-harm as a coping mechanism or have become so disengaged and isolated that they refuse to leave the house.
Horses enable us to connect with these children in a way other more traditional interventions such as counselling fail. Many of them won’t speak – but they’ll put their arms around a horse and whisper in its ear – and that’s where the transformation starts. Over a period of 3-12 months we use this connection and the children’s newfound interest in horses to engage them in an educational programme that supports their mental and physical health and wellbeing.
Time spent riding and caring for the horses provides vulnerable children with a challenge and something to look forward to each week. Although some of our children have no positive relationships when they first come to us, they can build strong bonds with horses relatively easily. As they learn new skills their confidence and self-esteem increase. In the presence of the ponies they learn to manage negative feelings and anxieties, to feel calmer, more resilient and happier.
In the clubroom our dedicated Children’s Team works closely with the children as a group to help them to develop important social and personal skills. Through a variety of creative projects (often connected to horses), they encourage discussion, participation and working together. In the clubroom the children develop their speaking and listening skills and they build positive relationships and even friendships with their group members. Although the projects are fun they’re an integral part of our internal learning programme, The Ride High Award, and children work towards obtaining each of its 4 levels. During clubroom sessions there’s always the opportunity for children to have 1-2-1 time with a member of staff too.
