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Fairbridge motivates disadvantaged young people by giving them the opportunity to do the sorts of activities they enjoy: from rock climbing to running a music business or working with horses. Fairbridge facilitates these activities to enable young people to develop a belief in their own potential, and transferable skills relevant to specific personal problems they are trying to overcome. Every programme is tailored to meet individual needs and lasts for as long as a young person needs support: be that three weeks or three years.
The following article appeared in the Fairbridge Spring 2005 Newsletter:
Stable Care
The horse-riding project has been running for over 18 months now and is proving to be a huge hot with young people. Kindly supported by the Eloise & Katie Memorial Fund, the horse-riding project is run from Gellings Farm in knwosley and enables young people to learn a varity of new skills.
The project has engaged over 60 young people who learn how to prepare the horses for lessons, how to ride and how the farm is run on a daily basis. It is a fantastic tool to build young people's confidence and allows them to become involved in a project that is not typical for an inner city area.
"I was very fortunate to visit the project myself just three weeks ago. It was clear that our young people
really enjoy working with the horses and gain so much from their sessions. One young man, David, was very nervous. He had never ridden before and was quite reluctant to get
on his horse. After some gentle persuasion from our staff and with the support from the other young
riders, he was able to conquer his fears. By the end of the ride he didn't want to get off! He was absolutely beaming with pride.
The horse riding project is so important because it helps broaden a young persons horizons. As you may know, many of our clients
come from difficult backgrounds. They have been dismissed as low achievers. Little is expected of them and consequently tey expect little of themselves.
Giving them the opportunity to excel in new activities such as horse riding, really helps boost their motivation and self-esteem. The stable management sessions help develop work-based skills and angage them in a working environment."
Claire Arnott, Trusts and Major Gifts Fundraiser
For more on Fairbridge, visit the Fairbridge website.
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