Equestrian initiative supports Children’s Mental Health Week

British Horse Society programme for disadvantaged young people takes part in Children’s Mental Health Week

 Run by children’s mental health charity Place2be, Children’s Mental Health Week 2023 continues until 12 February, the theme this year being Let’s Connect. The BHS has been involved through its initiative Changing Lives Through Horses (CLTH) set up in 2016 as an alternative education programme for disadvantaged and disengaged young people aged 5–25. So far, this programme has supported more than 1,700 individuals.

The scheme uses horses to support young people at risk of becoming disengaged or excluded from education, as well as those with additional needs who may need extra help to maintain their school placement. The skills the young people learn through CLTH are intended to facilitate their transition into further education and other pathways. Last year, around two million children regularly missed school and it is hoped, therefore, that awareness of this scheme will increase across the UK.

Building life skills

Horses are non-judgmental and, as a result, are the perfect companions for vulnerable young people, and, through caring for them, the youngsters develop a sense of commitment. Interestingly, many of the horses used in the initiative have been rescued through the BHS’s Second Chance rehoming scheme and have themselves had a difficult start in life.

Working with horses offers real benefit to the lives of these young people, as the programme encourages them to develop a number of life skills. For example, they start to build relationships and gain confidence, their communication improves, and they learn to take responsibility. It also teaches teamwork and perseverance. CLTH is linked to the school curriculum and has a range of awards and achievements.

Head of the scheme at the BHS Alison Blackmore said: “Changing Lives Through Horses is about the vital importance of relationships, both with horses and with people, and creating a sense of belonging for children and young people who, for whatever reason, find emotional connections difficult in educational and social environments.

“Engaging with horses can be a real breakthrough for the young people, bringing out their confidence once again. Those that take part are deeply engaged and many of them even go on to have a career within the industry. It’s incredible, and it’s all done through the magic of horses.”

In 2022, more than 500 young people took part in the initiative at around 60 centres across England, double the figure of 2021. Of those in the programme, 73% left to go to continued education with a different provider, or to commence a work or training placement.

To find out more about Changing Lives Through Horses, visit bhs.org.uk