Equine Assisted Learning
We are a not for profit organisation and approved Equine Assisted Learning Centre, founded in 2011 by Heather Watson.
We work 1:1 with young people, age 8-18, to build their confidence, their skills, their resilience and their self worth by interacting with our horses and other animals in a safe environment.
Being herd animals, horses seek connection and trust and they mirror our behaviour. In working with them, learners begin to regulate their energy and to develop perspective of their own emotions and behaviour.
Animal Care
We know that nurturing animals and developing ownership of their husbandry gives young people a chance to tap into their own caring sides, develop empathy and it can provide them with enormous satisfaction and pride. Our learners develop skills in handling the day to day care, nutrition, enrichment and exercise of our horses and other animals.
"I have loved working with the horses and dogs and I learned so much. Thank you, my confidence has come a long way. Thursdays are the best days."
- Isabel 14
Mental Health and Wellbeing
Natural outdoor spaces nurture wellbeing and help promote positive change. Through interactions with our animals and their outdoor world, we provide activities and a supported therapeutic space for our learners to enjoy the freedom of nature, a safe environment within which explore their feelings and move out of their comfort zone, and a space where they can be themselves where they are fully accepted and valued. Tending to the animals' welfare forms a natural sense of wellbeing in our learners.
By caring for our farm and its environment, learners develop a sense of self-worth, connection, responsibility and ownership of new skills whilst building relationships with animals, people and nature. At Wick Yard we are able to create holistic and experiential opportunities for learners to stretch their expectations, experience success and help them reach their full potential in a safe and supported way.
Working with our horses enables learners to observe their own and the horses' body language, naturally inspiring empathy for others and learning how to nurture relationships.
Learners develop an understanding of themselves, their emotions, the perspective of others and in turn can improve their focus, their communication skills and their wellbeing.
Our provision has social, emotional and mental health communication skills at its core. Bespoke programs to meet the needs of learners, referencing the targets of their referrers are adaptable and well-suited to SEND needs.
Preparation for adulthood
Our learners practise communication, organisation, practical application of everyday maths, and gain an understanding of healthy habits and nutrition. Learners are given real farming responsibilities, caring for our animals to develop their confidence in independent life skills. They can develop an abundance of practical and employment skills including time and record keeping, appropriate behaviour, health and safety, modelling good practice, team and independent work and knowledge of job-based skills.
Health
Sessions are held in the outdoors where we promote the benefit of fresh air and healthy living, activity and exercise, lifestyle choices, nutrition, resilience, mindfulness and positive mental health skills.
"His progress has been phenomenal. From a boy who was preverbal to the resilient, intelligent, colourfully quirky, bright and cheeky young lad that he is now. He's been allowed to discover himself as much as he can at his age, and flourish. He's done this because he's been made to feel safe, where adults have been predictable, kind, patient and nurturing and given him the strength to move on to the next chapter of his life."
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