Singing is an added bonus for this work experience group
Every Tuesday, rain or shine, four young adults come to us to help around the yard. It’s a fantastic experience for everyone involved, and as our visitors are from the charity Beyond Autism, and 2-8 April is World Autism Week, this feels the perfect time to tell you more.
Park Lane Stables volunteer Kate Fox has been working with the groups since they started visiting in summer 2023. Here’s what she has to say:
“They have helped us with stable management and caring for the horses. They fill haynets for the horses, groom them (Prodney is a favourite, isn’t he always?), sweep the yard, clean tack and are so kind and gentle with the horses. They are doing really well in an environment with animals to care for, and their communication with the horses is a joy. We really appreciate their willingness to help with all tasks around the yard and the horses respond to their kindness.
Over time, it’s been a pleasure to see their confidence grow and their communication with us increase. Their carers tell me each week how excited they are to come to help, and it is always fun to have them around!
They make a great contribution to the team – when all the water feeders froze in the stables during the coldest spell, they set about filling water buckets for the horses without being asked.
We adapt the work to suit each individual. For example, we make a quieter space for grooming and tack cleaning for those who are particularly sensitive to noise, and we channel lively energy into some great barn sweeping. Singing is an added bonus!”
Beyond Autism is a charity which: ‘celebrates the individual. We always seek to discover a person’s aspirations, preferences and support needs, facilitating a life of choice and opportunity. We go above and beyond to break the cycle of prejudice, through education and training, changing society and ensuring inclusion.’
We love being a small part of Beyond Autism’s work and we look forward to the Tuesday visits just as much as they do!
Several members of the Park Lane Stables team first came to us with communication difficulties due to being on the autistic spectrum. Their contribution to the Park Lane family today – as committed team members with excellent understanding of horses – proves the potential that can be locked inside someone with autism.
When we celebrate and work with difference, we are amply rewarded.
#WorldAutismWeek
Find out more about the work of Beyond Autism
Watching young people in school groups develop in confidence and open up through interaction with the horses is so rewarding, but it’s quite a challenge for our resources too. If you’d like to help us to do more of this, just head to our Donate page. Every little really does help – the proof of that is that we’re still here.