After R’s 4th All-In session of pony care we just wanted to thank you all for the wonderful experience you have given R and what a huge difference it is making to her. R has Autism (pathological demand avoidance), high anxiety and Ehlers-Danlos Syndrome (a physical disability causing constant pain and unstable joints. She also has chronic fatigue syndrome and a speech disorder - a lot for a 9 year old to cope with! R rarely leaves the house and does not socialise, even with family, due to her high levels of anxiety. However, after her first pony care session she said she felt calm in her tummy, she looked calm and the smiles were amazing! We stood watching her talking to J whilst grooming Billy with tears in our eyes. We have never seen R so calm or happy to engage. Mainstream and specialist school placements have failed as they couldn’t meet her needs. It is not possible to put into words the difference in R after just four sessions. R has never responded this positively with any specialist teacher or medical expert, and she has met lots! She is also getting physical exercise which is good for maintaining her mobility. She is enthusiastic and excited about future sessions with Billy (R rarely mentions the future) and above all she is happy. J has given R such confidence in her own ability and has gently guided R to try new things without causing her to panic or causing meltdown. It is also aiding her speech and communication skills massively. Jess has an absolutely fantastic ability to ‘read’ R. R said no teacher has ever made her feel the way J does.

The clients/Users approach the horses together with the volunteers in the same vein, they build up trust and confidence and it is just a brilliant learning curve for the riders and volunteers alike. I could see the communication between the riders and the volunteers, in the case of P it is talking about everything under the sun, but he will take instruction when concentrating. But above all it is about comradeship and dialogue between the people concerned, friendliness and confidence building which is something that sadly some people do not always get elsewhere. The volunteers at the centre are special, they are keen to speak, make conversation with P and to bond to provide some continuity of purpose including always saying at the end “I will see you next week” which is so important for his autism. It is not easy you have two unpredictable brains joined together in the ring, one a horse that requires 100% attention and a rider that also requires 100% attention at all times , multi tasking does not come easy to everyone, but these volunteers manage it with aplomb. I can only speak as I find but the Cavalier centre volunteers have bought a new challenge to many people who under normal circumstance would never be able to have such a wonderful experience with animals, people like themselves and with Volunteers who really care. Finally, I write this from personal observations, from the happiness I have seen in my brother and from the joy and competitiveness it has brought to his life, long may it last and thank you the volunteers.

Parent - “Oh my life! From a parent’s perspective, you got more out of L than anywhere else she has ever been, even her College. You have valued what she says and as a result she felt valued, that’s such a big thing for her. Even from the first time she came here, as soon as she gets back in the car she says every time I come here, I remember the reason why I love it. You have reminded her of her worth, in the way in which you all treat people, you stand by your ethos, you don’t just say it, you do it and that’s the difference with the Cavalier Centre. No matter what, you value people, it’s a unified organisation, everyone has the same mindset and approach, always smiling, passionate, welcoming, like little rays of sunshine. You personally have taken on board everything that Libby has said, everything is considered, many people have tried before, and no-one has reached her like you. You are all true to what you stand for. She loved the horses and showed me many photos of Heston her favourite.

My foster daughter (15) had the pleasure of attending the stable relationships sessions. She had been struggling with understanding her emotions and a very low self esteem. During the sessions she began to understand what emotions are and how to recognise them. She also began to see her worth and tried many new things that she would never have tried before. Everyone at the Cavalier Centre were amazing, so helpful and kind. I have to say a particular thank you to Jane. Jane ran the course and we couldn’t have asked for a better person. Jane was so open and caring, empathetic and totally motivating. Jane made the entire process fun and informative. My foster daughter has now found a love for horses that she didn’t have before she started and I believe she will carry everything she has taken from the course forward into adult life. Thank you all so much.

Parent (Mom) words – “She is like a completely different girl, she will now do things that she would have never before. We have noticed a massive difference in her confidence, for example she will walk out the house on her own now, also drive on her own and took responsibility for cooking all the Christmas dinner, this is something she wouldn’t have done before STEPS. She loved grooming the horses most and we are so keen for her to start volunteering at the centre, the sooner the better, we even brought her a riding hat”.

“Words can’t really do justice to the effect the Steps Programme has had on my life. I’m currently 4 and a half months sober (the longest I have ever managed) and the Steps Programme has been a HUGE, HUGE part of making my journey bearable. Not hiding behind drink or drugs, I’ve come to The Cavalier Centre some days feeling really raw, lonely and lost, but I’ve left feeling an immense lift in mood. Connecting with horses with Lynette’s guidance, has built my confidence, helped me feel grounded and the experience will stay with me forever and has, without doubt, been a big part of my recovery. I cannot thank Lynette, Annabel (and of course the Volunteers and horses) enough for the opportunity I’ve had here

‘After years of testing and examinations, I have recently been diagnosed with Motor neurone disease. My one wish is for them to find a cure or a decent treatment to ease symptoms and prolong life, this is the reason I am doing a sponsored skydive, to raise much needed funds to get that one step closer. I am also a big believer of positivity and activity to help with promoting good mental health and not letting anything stop you from achieving your goals and dreams. This is why I am also trying to raise money for The Cavalier Centre in Much Wenlock, a horse riding centre apart of the RDA. This place has given me the encouragement and hope I needed to keep going no matter what life throws at you.

From a headteacher of a class who attend Changing Lives Through Horses sessions: ‘In terms of our students, it has been a pleasure to see W grow in confidence each week. He has flourished under the support of the team at the Cavalier Centre and looks forward to his weekly sessions. He is now able to ride independently, it has been a delight to see such a big smile. He really values his time with horses and the sessions have a beneficial emotional impact, creating a space for mindfulness which appears to calm W and allow him some “re-set” time. The space from school mid week is a really valuable part of his programme and helps him maintain focus at school. The Changing Lives through Horses course is a unique opportunity for our students to have some quality time around the calming nature of equines and is a valuable tool in out armoury when trying to meet individual need and repair some of the damage caused by our student’s early life experiences.’

“I promise you I get more out of the time I spend at The Cavalier Centre then you will possibly ever realise”. That’s what one of our 180 plus lovely volunteers said.

‘There has been a monumental change in J since she started riding and volunteering at the Centre. You have no idea how much it means as a parent to know there is somewhere your child can go where they are accepted and thrive.’

My daughter is a different person while she’s at the Centre. Nobody can believe me when I tell them how confident and chatty she is here, when we have silence at home. Her school know to ask her questions about the horses to bring her out of her shell. She looks forward to riding all week and we hear about Kenny morning, noon and night!

(The Cavalier Centre) has given my daughter the safe/happy place she needs whilst doing something she loves

‘I love it when we can see the difference in our carriage drivers, a smile, laugh a shout. They delight in the wonder of horses and everyone gains by being with different people. It is a wonderful way to help others’ Carriage driving volunteer

‘’When I am here, I don’t feel disabled’’ from a young man who walks with crutches and has recently started riding with us

The children’s faces when they first trotted was a joy, every time! Parent of At Home with Horses participant

“it’s great here, can I stay and sleep here?” At Home with Horses participant

‘It’s my happy place’