About us
At Stable Life we utilise equine facilitated wellness programmes to support young people with vulnerabilties in the Scottish Borders who are experiencing challenges. We are based on a beautiful farm surrounded by rolling hills and we are lucky enough to have some of the kindest ponies we know to help us to do our work. We also offer riding lessons and hacking in the hills.
Supporting our young people
For most young people growing up is a fairly smooth and natural process but for others this couldn’t be further from reality. Sometimes a young person’s circumstances and related behaviour can push them to feel isolated or excluded from their school and community. This can lead to anti-social and risk-taking behaviour, substance abuse, mistrust of adults and a failure to realise and reach their full potential.
Stable Life helps young people to break the cycle of damaging behaviour or feelings of helplessness. We offer youngsters a proven and trusted medium which encourages self reflection and promotes resilience.
Working with horses
Our programmes are based on a model of Equine Facilitated Wellness using the Theory of Change which we have developed into a person-centred package using the horse and its environment to engage with each young person who attends.
We run a team of dedicated staff who work to support young people and their families in either a group setting or on an individual basis. We also have a number of trained personnel from adult volunteers to peer mentors who support our project workers.
We also support young people in their transition looking towards college and employment by offering practical work experience opportunities.
How to refer someone
Young people can be referred to use from across Scottish Borders by anyone; referrers often include people from a young person’s school, or social work team, a GP, an individual from CAMHS or parents or carers. Read more about the referral process for Stable Life.
"My boy has absolutely loved coming. He has faced his fears, made friends and opened up about previous trauma and at the same time found something that he loves. His learning to keep himself safe skills have really improved and his confidence has sky rocketed. I cannot thank you guys enough"
- Feedback from a Parent