Help children achieve more through outdoor riding therapy
Here at EST, we aim to provide a very positive form of therapy for the children with special educational needs and disabilities who visit our Centres. To achieve the maximum benefits from the children’s visits for therapy, we now plan to build a Sensory Trail Ride at our Centre in Ivybridge.
Once completed and fully equipped the ride and gardens will provide sensory-rich stimuli of smells, sights, touch, movement and sounds to enhance the children’s therapeutic experience at the Centre.
EST Manchester's Adopt a Donkey Weekend - Sat 26th and Sun 27th May
EST Manchester is holding an Adoption Weekend on Saturday 26th and Sunday 27th May from 10am to 3pm for the public to meet its group of donkeys and learn more about the work they do with local children with additional needs.
The Donkey Sanctuary’s centre in Abbey Hey will open its doors from 10am to 3pm for the public to meet their adopted donkeys, Mary, Cocoa, Hannah and Toby, and enjoy plenty of refreshments and browse the centre’s donkey shop.
EST Belfast Adopt A Donkey Weekend - Saturday 26th and Sunday 27th May
EST Belfast is holding an open Adoption Weekend on Saturday 26th and Sunday 27th May from 10am to 3pm for the public to meet its group of donkeys and learn more about the work they do with Belfast’s children with additional needs.
The Donkey Sanctuary’s Templepatrick centre is also looking forward to celebrating its first birthday since being opened by The Princess Royal in June 2011. In the last twelve months, over 6,000 riding therapy sessions have been provided for children from across the province.
Donkey charity volunteer to carry the torch
18 year old Emma McLean from Seaton, who volunteers with children with additional needs at The Donkey Sanctuary’s donkey assisted therapy in Sidmouth, has been chosen to carry the Olympic torch through Exeter on Sunday 20th May.
Aspiring doctor Emma has been helping out at The Donkey Sanctuary on Saturdays and during school holidays for over a year now, and says she really enjoys the experience:
Take your partner by the hand for Ivybridge charity Barn Dance - 25th May
The Ivybridge centre is hosting a Barn Dance on Friday 25th May from 7.30pm to 11.30pm.
The Parents & Friends Association (PFA) at The Donkey Sanctuary’s Ivybridge centre, organising the evening of do-si-dos to raise funds for the centre.
Alongside the dancing there will be a caller and live band, a raffle, a hog roast and a bar to keep dancers refreshed. Tickets are £6 each for admission to the Barn Dance and must be purchased in advance by contacting the centre on 01752 690200.
Crossgates Estate Agency’s donation to EST Leeds
Three members of staff from Raine & Horne Estate Agents, Crossgates, were visited by donkeys from The Donkey Sanctuary’s Leeds centre to receive a donation cheque of £100.
Ann Riddington, Mandy Driver & Clive Smith (Raine & Horne) presented their donation cheque to donkeys Eli & Tinker.
Volunteers desperately needed for EST Belfast
EST Belfast is appealing for more volunteers to help support its work. The centre provides riding therapy sessions that help those with physical disabilities to develop their strength, balance and coordination.
The charity relies on the help of volunteers who give up their spare time to help work with the children and the donkeys. Visits are made to local residential and nursing homes each year. The volunteers are involved in a wide range of tasks, such as grooming the donkeys and leading them through the corridors of the homes.
