Elisabeth Svendsen Trust

I am writing this blog as I travel back down the (snowy) motorway with my colleague Chris Phillips. We have just spent three days visiting the EST Centres in Birmingham, Manchester and Leeds.

First we visited EST Leeds, after setting off from Devon at 5am; we finally arrived at the centre just before lunch. We were greeted by the centre co-ordinator Caroline who gave us a quick show round before we met some of the children who attend the centre. After a hasty sandwich we went to meet the adoption donkeys and their friends, and before we knew it, it was time to leave.

Our next visit was to EST Manchester. We arrived so bright and early that we were there before most of the staff, but we were warmly welcomed by Neil the handyman and Adele one of the instructors until centre co-ordinator Lindsay arrived to show us round. We then spent the morning with some of the families who benefit from donkey riding therapy, and after a spot of lunch with the staff, we met some of the volunteers who generously give up their time. We then met the adoption donkeys and their friends, and all too soon it was time to have a quick chat about centre PR and get on the road again.

We visited EST Birmingham on our last day, and after getting a little bit lost in Sutton Park (which is a beautiful area!) we made it to the centre where Sue the principal, and Gill the centre co-ordinator were expecting us and immediately made us feel like one of the team. As heavy snow was forecast for lunchtime we set to work straight away and met the adoption donkeys before meeting two of the children who attend the centre. As the snow started to fall, we said our goodbyes and set off for Devon.

As we embark on our journey home, I feel thoroughly inspired by all the people I have met in the last few days. The staff who all have such passion for the sometimes difficult, but always rewarding work they do. The volunteers who selflessly give up their time, and without whom the centres could not offer such a wonderful, safe and worthwhile service. And above all the families who attend the centres and benefit from the donkey riding therapy. They all had such different heart-warming stories to tell, but they all had one thing in common, they have all been helped through the magic of the kind, gentle, understanding EST donkeys.