FUNDED ADULT SUPPORT - 'WELLBEING THROUGH CONNECTION'

Our ‘Wellbeing Through Connection’ pathway can provide a gentle yet profound therapeutic experience even for those who do not wish to talk about how they are feeling or who have previously found it difficult to engage in therapy. Clients can self-refer to this pathway or be referred by another service/ professional. 

There are two elements to the Pathway.  

 - Six 1:1 1 hr Equine Therapy Sessions 

 - Monthly 2 hr group sessions 
 

Six 1:1 equine therapy sessions offer an opportunity to connect with a small herd of horses/ ponies at our site in Tockwith. Horses offer a relationship without words and without judgement; they accept us as we are.  To feel understood without having to tell our story can be a powerful experience and is one of the factors that makes equine therapy so special. There is no pressure to ‘do’ anything during these sessions, and sometimes by simply being in the space with the horses, we are able to get our needs met.  

It is also possible to have a more structured session where individuals  often find that the experience of working with the horses draws attention to patterns of thought, emotion or behaviour. These may be patterns that have been unhelpful but are difficult to look at, challenge or change.  Building a relationship with a horse can provide a new context for these patterns and can offer different ways of approaching the aspects of life that are challenging or intimidating. This awareness can begin in the context of the interactions with the horses but it can also be taken out into the world and applied to interactions with other people.  

Our 1:1 sessions are also intended to support people in joining the group well-being sessions. They offer an opportunity to develop relationships with the horses and therapist and become familiar with the environment. This can help people to feel safe in the setting and   can make joining the group feel less intimidating.  It is fine to bring someone when attending 1:1 sessions if that feels more comfortable. 

Group sessions take place on a monthly basis at the Tockwith site. These sessions offer a safe space and an opportunity to connect with ourselves, other people and nature as well as to spend time with the herd. Sessions are very relaxed and informal with group size kept small, we aim to empower people to (re-) integrate, meet and interact with new people. We encourage the people who come to take ownership of the group and shape it to meet their needs both individually and as a whole group.   We offer a mixture of structured activities and time to simply be. Being in nature and with the horses offers opportunities for exploration, adventure and creativity as well as stillness and reflection. There are opportunities for people to be together and also to take time away from the group. Whilst this is an outdoor group, we do have options available to help keep people warm including some undercover space and the sessions do run all year round.