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

Buy a brick for EST Belfast

Jenifer Tucker — Wed, 21 Jul 2010 14:43:03 +0100

Donkey riding therapy brings hope to double transplant patient

Suzi Cretney — Wed, 21 Jul 2010 12:17:05 +0100

With National Transplant Week taking place from 4th – 11th July 2010, EST Manchester tells the story of three-year-old double transplant patient Zainab Naiz who benefits physically and emotionally from donkey riding therapy.

Zainab was born with liver disease and at the age of one had to undergo a life-saving liver transplant operation. She was lucky enough to receive a liver from a young donor but disaster struck when it stopped working 12 hours after the procedure. Her mum, Aliya watched helplessly as doctors entered into a race against time to find another liver and her tiny daughter was put on life support and dialysis as her kidneys began to fail. At the last minute, a liver was found from an older donor. This was not an ideal match but with time running out, Zainab’s doctors knew that any further delay would leave them unable to do the transplant.

Donkey riding therapy helps Abigail to find her feet

Suzi Cretney — Tue, 13 Jul 2010 11:45:50 +0100

Following Learning Development Week (21-27th June 2010), EST Leeds tells how donkey riding therapy has been instrumental in helping a young girl learn to walk and find a new sense of self-confidence. At the age of two, Abigail Preece was not yet able to crawl and struggled with a range of developmental delays that prevented her from interacting with children and adults outside of her family.

Abigail has low muscle tone and learning difficulties which caused social difficulties and problems with balancing and learning to walk. Now aged five, she has been attending the Leeds EST for the last three years and has amazed her family with the improvements that the riding sessions have made.

Donkey therapy helps Cerys' amazing progress

Suzi Cretney — Mon, 05 Jul 2010 09:50:13 +0100

When Cerys Edwards suffered a car crash at the age of one, doctors advised the family that she would never walk, talk or breathe on her own. Three years later, she is amazing doctors and family members by learning to stand and beginning to breathe without the assistance of a ventilator for short periods. Mum, Tracey, tells how visits to EST Birmingham have helped Cerys’ progress.

Following the serious car crash in 2006, Cerys tragically suffered multiple injuries, including complete paralysis and considerable brain damage. Now aged four, Cerys gets around in a wheelchair and is reliant on the support of a ventilator but visits the Birmingham centre of The Elisabeth Svendsen Trust for Children and Donkey (EST) each week to take part in donkey riding therapy sessions.

Car boot sale fundraiser at Birmingham donkey riding centre

Suzi Cretney — Wed, 01 Sep 2010 11:30:21 +0100

The Parents and Friends Association of a Birmingham charity that provides donkey riding therapy is holding a car boot sale on Sunday 19th September from 8.30am to 1.30pm in Sutton Park.

The Parents & Friends Association (PFA) at the Birmingham centre of the Elisabeth Svendsen Trust for Children and Donkeys is organising the sale to raise much-needed funds for the centre, which is located by the Town Gate entrance of Sutton Park.

Riding Instructor - Birmingham

Kirsty Wackley — Thu, 26 Aug 2010 14:19:05 +0100

We are looking to recruit a full time, permanent, Riding Instructor for our riding therapy centre near Birmingham. You will be responsible for the provision of riding therapy and other activities for children with special needs and for overseeing the welfare of our donkeys. This will include planning, preparing and delivering riding therapy sessions, whilst maintaining a high standard of cleanliness throughout the centre, riding area and stables. You will work 40 hours per week which will include Saturdays and Sundays.

Centre Assistant/Groom - Birmingham

Kirsty Wackley — Thu, 26 Aug 2010 14:15:24 +0100

We are looking to recruit a full time, permanent, Groom/Centre Assistant for our riding therapy centre near Birmingham. You will assist with therapy for children and adults with special needs and you should have experience of working with equines. You will be responsible for maintaining a high standard of cleanliness throughout the centre, riding area and stables. This includes feeding, grooming and caring for the donkeys. You will work 40 hours per week. Specific arrangements with regard to working hours will be agreed with the Line Manager.