A Riding School in Lichfield is helping students with social, emotional and mental health needs after receiving a grant from the Police and Crime Commissioner’s People Power Fund.
Gartmore Riding School established a riding club for students from Chasetown Community School to teach them new skills and help increase their confidence and self-esteem while teaching them respect and teamwork.
The club gives students the opportunity to interact with horses while learning how to care for them and how to ride them. The students have taken part in a six week course and were presented with certificates and rosettes by Police and Crime Commissioner for Staffordshire, Matthew Ellis, upon completion.
Gartmore Riding School has been awarded £1,800 from the People Power Fund.
Mr Ellis, said:
‘The best ideas to reduce crime, social harm and anti-social behaviour often come from communities affected by those issues. That’s why, since 2013 I’ve increased the funding provided for simple things that make local areas safer and better to live in.
‘Tackling the issues, building community spirit and often reducing repeat demand on policing means providing that financial help at the most local level is really cost effective.
‘Gartmore Riding School is doing a fantastic job of working with youngsters in Burntwood, giving them the opportunity to learn new skills and keep active. I am pleased to hear about, and see first-hand, the work they are doing in helping youngsters make the right choices in life.’
Tracy Francis, Director of Gartmore Riding School, added:
‘Horse riding isn’t a classroom based activity. It is an activity which gives the young people who attend the opportunity to be themselves without there being any feelings of judgement. We have students attend who are often quiet at school and we have found that over the time they have been attending the riding school they are growing in confidence and are asking us lots more questions.
‘Horse riding teaches young people respect, patience and co-ordination skills as well as helping to increase their confidence and we have had some really good feedback from Chasetown Community School who have been working with us recently.’
The current round of People Power Funding closes on Friday 14 April. To find out more and apply visit the website www.staffordshire-pcc.gov.uk/fund
