Elisabeth Svendsen Trust

The Hinds family attend drop-in sessions and clubs at EST Ivybridge regularly and travel all the way from Cornwall to get there. James and Collin have made lots of friends at the Centre and really enjoy their time spent here. James has adopted Pooh as his very own special donkey, and as an extra treat often has the chance to ride him when at Saturday Club.

Their mother, Sandra, tells us that James loves coming to EST. He met his first donkey at EST Sidmouth, and then started coming to EST Ivybridge when it opened. It is great - both he and his brother Collin can ride - so they are doing an activity together as well as getting to meet other families who visit regularly.

James has Downs Syndrome and has very low muscle tone and over-mobile joints. He also didn't walk until nearly 5 years old. Sandra also says he uses sign and is also saying more words now to communicate. He has become confident enough to groom a donkey as well as ride, and has even learnt how to sign 'donkey'!