The Elisabeth Svendsen Trust - A UK based charity bringing enjoyment into the lives of children with special needs

About our centres

Jenifer Tucker — Mon, 17 Jan 2011 16:03:38 +0000

The Elisabeth Svendsen Trust for Children and Donkeys (EST) is a UK based charity dedicated to providing riding therapy with donkeys to children with special needs and disabilities.

The aims of the EST are to bring enjoyment and pleasure into their lives and to give them the satisfaction that comes with the achievement of learning riding skills.

Riding skills are taught by qualified riding instructors using the donkey because of its placid nature. In addition, children are encouraged to groom and care for the donkeys.

Help children achieve more through outdoor riding therapy

Jenifer Tucker — Mon, 25 Oct 2010 08:43:13 +0000

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.

The Donkey Sanctuary/Elisabeth Svendsen Trust charity merge

Press Office — Mon, 06 Feb 2012 14:45:08 +0000

Today, the Elisabeth Svendsen Trust for Children and Donkeys has announced that it has merged into animal welfare charity The Donkey Sanctuary.

The Elisabeth Svendsen Trust for Children and Donkeys officially merged into The Donkey Sanctuary, which supports projects in 28 countries worldwide to alleviate the suffering of donkeys and mules, on 1st January 2012.

Nearly half way there...!

Jennie Jepperson — Mon, 06 Feb 2012 11:17:20 +0000

After another amazing week I am now looking forward to running 'The Virgin London Marathon' more than ever and can't wait until race day in 11 weeks' time. By all means I still have a long way to go, but I finally feel like the training and hard work is starting to pay off and this is beginning to reflect in the amount of time I spend on my feet and the mileage I do.

EST Sidmouth Saturday Clubs

Press Office — Mon, 30 Jan 2012 15:22:44 +0000

EST Sidmouth is today launching its 2012 drop in sessions for children with special needs and their families to take part in riding therapy with its donkeys.

12 weeks and counting...

Jennie Jepperson — Mon, 30 Jan 2012 11:34:31 +0000

Wow, what a week... time seems to be flying by so quickly that April will be here before I know it!

Well where do I start? This past week really has been amazing. I've managed my longest run to date and the support I have received from people so far has been overwhelming. So far I have raised a massive £359 for EST and the sponsorship keeps trickling in, which is fantastic. Everyone has been so kind and generous; I can't thank you all enough.

Aleesha will sky-dive for EST!

Paula Betts — Thu, 26 Jan 2012 09:29:06 +0000

Aleesha Davidson, one of our lovely volunteers, has kindly offered to do a 'sky-dive' to raise money for EST!

Aleesha has been volunteering at EST Ivybridge for over 2 years now, after completing part of her Duke of Edinburgh award at the centre. She helps with donkey care, assists with riding therapy lessons, and has run stalls at our fundraising events (summer/christmas fair).