East Kilbride News

Lifeline charity given its own lifeline to continue

Darcy’s receives lottery award to see it through lockdown

- NICOLA FINDLAY

An equine therapy centre in Strathaven has received a lifeline cash boost to help continue its vital work amid the coronaviru­s pandemic.

East Kilbride mum, Eileen Mathieson, opened Darcy’s Equine Assisted Learning three years ago after recognisin­g a need for alternativ­e education and life skills programmes for young people with social, emotional and behavioura­l issues.

It won VASLAN organisati­on of the year in November but has been unable to make the most of the prestigiou­s accolade.

But now the centre, which normally has a 10-strong team of equine facilitato­rs, support workers and volunteers, has been awarded £9500 by the National Lottery Community Fund to see it through lockdown and beyond.

The group will use funding to branch out to deliver online, interactiv­e sessions to around 80 people with dementia, poor mental health and additional support in and around the South Lanarkshir­e area.

Carers, parents and siblings will also be provided with support and respite during sessions.

Eileen told the News: “As soon as the schools closed, I took the decision to do so due to who we work with, I didn’t want to take any risks.

“So what we have been trying to do is virtual sessions.

“This funding is a real boost – especially since a grant which I had been working on securing for the last six months which would have seen us through for two years fell by the wayside due to the pandemic.

“Some of the children we deal with have really bad anxiety but families can make contact with me and we can do video calls through our Facebook page.

“It lets people see us, see what’s going on at Darcy’s and ‘brings the outside in’ and we want to keep it going after all this.

“It was from this we looked at extending the interactiv­e sessions to older people, and those with dementia for whom it could work really well too.”

The cash boost will also mean their life changing work can continue after restrictio­ns are lifted.

This includes helping vulnerable kids gain the skills, personal belief and qualificat­ions needed to re-engage with education, employment and their community.

And the not-for-profit organisati­on also offers national qualificat­ions.

Eileen went on: “We have had no money coming in – but our seven horses still need fed and looked after.

“If the schools aren’t open, the kids aren’t coming and our usual funding streams aren’t there – so the lottery finding is vital to us still being here when life return to a ‘new normal’.”

With all Eileen’s devoted clients missing their favourite ponies, she has had to come up with new ways of connecting.

“I have been doing things like ‘a day in the life of Buttons’, who is one of the cob’s and taking requests to ‘go on a walk’ with clients and their favourite animal,” she said.

“Even things as simple as kids joining me to see the ponies getting clipped or washed. It may seem really small but they just love it.

“One wee boy we have takes bad spasms but as soon as we ‘took him a walk’, with one of the ponies his mum joked with us that he literally didn’t move a muscle.” And while the end may not seem in sight for many Eileen is already planning ahead to safeguard the centre’s future.

“When the schools go back I am going to get PPE and visors, that way the kids can see our faces and they can be cleaned and we already give them all gloves.

“I would maybe have to have a think about distancing – it is quite hard to social distance when there is half a tonne of horse between you and them who will do what it decides to do,” she went on.

Eileen added: “Everything is so up in the air at the minute but I think it’s really important for us to be able to provide interactio­n with out learners in what ever way possible when they need us the most. Any funding is a way for Darcy’s to come out the other side.”

To see the live interactiv­e sessions, Darcy’s Bringing the Outside in, follow the link on the centre’s website www.darcysequi­neassisted­learningce­ntre.co.uk or search for them on Facebook.

 ??  ?? Huge relief Georgia Wolfson and Eileen Mathieson will be able to continue helping children with additional needs
Huge relief Georgia Wolfson and Eileen Mathieson will be able to continue helping children with additional needs

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