Small Strides CIC

Small Strides CIC Bristols leading Trauma Informed Therapeutic Horsemanship Centre & Registered Alternative Provision. "Small Strides is such a wonderful, magical place.

Small Strides CIC is Bristol's leading independent Trauma Informed Equine Facilitated Learning centre. We specialise in working with both children and adults on the autistic spectrum and with additional needs. We are an alternative provision for South Glos, BANES, Bristol & Wiltshire local authorities. We partner closely with local schools, authorities and other organizations to provide trauma inf

ormed programs & courses for children struggling in mainstream education, with difficult emotions or PTSD. We believe relationships are the vehicle for change and through co-regulation and fostering connect relationships we aim to support emotional resilience & regulation, heal attachment wounds, reduce stress and anxiety, develop a deeper connection to self, improve skills and confidence to be better equipped for dealing with life's challenges. Jenny, has a wealth of knowledge in the field as is the lead facilitator here. Jenny is a fully qualified Equine Facilitated Learning Practitioner, trained with Natural Lifemanship and Equssoma. Jenny is also an Advanced EFT and Matrix reimprinting practitioner, Somatic Trauma Recovery Coach, Reiki Master/Teacher & Equine Therapist and Animal Communicator. Jenny uses her wide range of skills to work on many levels, offering a fully holistic approach to the therapeutic interventions. Jenny is currently training to become a Psychotherapist to offer Trauma Focused Equine Facilitated Psychotherapy. Louisa, has recently completed her Core training with Natural Lifemanship as an Equine Facilitated Learning Practitioner and also has a background in Early Years Education and Care with specialist knowledge in supporting children’s emotional wellbeing and emotion coaching. As a neurodivergent adult and parent to neurodivergent teens, Louisa brings lived experience of the challenges and impacts of being neurodivergent. The horses are a much valued part of the team and this is very much reflected in the way the partner with them. Attuned Horsemanship is at the heart of the work at Small Strides and giving the horses a voice and choice is very important when working with them therapeuticly and we thrive to help our clients understand this different way of partnering with them, compared to traditional horse methods. Jenny and her horses make a huge difference to their clients both on a therapeutic level and in teaching practical horse care skills. My son has benefitted so much from his weekly sessions at Small Strides and I can't recommend it highly enough :)

www.smallstrides.co.uk

03/07/2025

One appointment still available at 10:30!

Free half-hour appointments available for parents and carers at Cadbury Heath Children’s Centre, South Glos.

Thursday 17th July

Speak to our trained South Gloucestershire SENDIAS practitioner on a confidential, one-to-one basis and receive help and support with your query about special educational needs and/or disabilities. ⁠ ⁠

To book: https://www.eventbrite.co.uk/e/south-glos-in-person-bookable-slots-for-send-advice-17th-july-2025-tickets-1338584545409?aff=oddtdtcreator

🌱 Therapeutic Benefits of Gardening & Growing Veg 🥕Did you know that getting your hands in the soil can be just as heali...
20/06/2025

🌱 Therapeutic Benefits of Gardening & Growing Veg 🥕

Did you know that getting your hands in the soil can be just as healing as talking things through?

Gardening is more than just planting seeds, it's planting hope, confidence, and calm.

🌿 Why gardening is good for the soul:
🌞 Reduces stress & anxiety
🧠 Supports mental well-being & focus
👐 Builds confidence through nurturing and responsibility
👃 Stimulates the senses, touch, smell, sight
🍅 Encourages healthy eating and connection with nature
💚 Creates space for mindfulness and quiet reflection

At Small Strides CIC, we’ve seen firsthand how powerful growing your own veg can be — especially for those with SEN, mental health challenges, and neurodivergent individuals.

🌾 Healing happens in the garden, one seed at a time.

20/06/2025

Some lovely feedback from a YP I have been working with for the past few years.

Hes just finished with our Alternative Provision as he's moving onto college in September.

Here is what he wrote about his experience with Small Strides CIC.

🐴☀️ Summer Spa Day at Small Strides CIC! ☀️🐴With the heat rising, our therapy horses enjoyed a well-deserved bath day,  ...
19/06/2025

🐴☀️ Summer Spa Day at Small Strides CIC! ☀️🐴

With the heat rising, our therapy horses enjoyed a well-deserved bath day, and it was more than just a cool-down.

Bathing days are a chance to deepen the bond between horse and human.

Gentle grooming, calming water, and mindful touch all contribute to a relaxing, sensory-rich experience, not just for our horses, but for the individuals working with them. 💙

These shared moments are part of what makes equine facilitated learning so powerful: promoting emotional regulation, building trust, and fostering calm through connection.

Every splash, scrub, and nuzzle plays a role in healing. 🌿

🌿 We're Hiring: Horticulture Therapist/Practitioner /Ecotherapist or practioner 🌿Or someone with relevant experience to ...
09/06/2025

🌿 We're Hiring:

Horticulture Therapist/Practitioner /Ecotherapist or practioner 🌿

Or someone with relevant experience to run a therapeutic garden group.

Join the Small Strides CIC Team!

Are you passionate about the healing power of nature?

We're looking for a Trauma-Informed Horticulture or Eco Therapist or practioner to work one day a week at our Equine Therapy Centre.

What we're looking for:
🌱 Experience working with neurodivergent children and adults
🌿 Skilled in supporting those with SEN and mental health challenges
🌾 A compassionate, creative approach to therapeutic gardening and nature-based activities
🪴 Trauma-informed

Why join us?

At Small Strides CIC, we believe in the transformative power of nature and animals.

You’ll be part of a supportive team, combining horticulture and eco/nature therapy to help people grow, inside and out.

👉This will run on a Wednesday
👉 Roughly 4 hours.
👉Must be self employed
👉Hourly Wage based on experience.

Interested?
To apply plewse send your CV to email us at [email protected]

Help us plant the seeds of healing and growth. 🌿💚

We want to say a massive THANK YOU to everyone for your support with Nala.She got discharged this evening and is in the ...
06/06/2025

We want to say a massive THANK YOU to everyone for your support with Nala.

She got discharged this evening and is in the safe zone for ketones. Bloods have also dropped this evening which is really positive.

She will need close monitoring over the next week or so, with regular ketone testing and blood glucose tests to get her more stable.

But thanks to everyone's quick support and endless love sent shes feeling much better in herself and moving in the right direction.

Thank you from both of us ❤️❤️❤️❤️❤️

Morning all...thank you so much for all your support yesterday. Im re sharing and 1 final push for support. I've reduced...
06/06/2025

Morning all...thank you so much for all your support yesterday.

Im re sharing and 1 final push for support. I've reduced the amount to £1500 as we saved some money by the vet allowing her to come home over night last night and then back in today.

I also managed to get some money to put towards her vet bills myself but if anyone can help today it would mean so much ❤️

Many of you know Nala as the gentle, loving therapy dog from Small Strides, who has brough… Jenny MacSharry needs your support for Nalas Emergency Vet Fund

Im reaching out to everyone...Nala needs your help!Many of you know Nala as the gentle, loving therapy dog from Small St...
05/06/2025

Im reaching out to everyone...Nala needs your help!

Many of you know Nala as the gentle, loving therapy dog from Small Strides, who has brought comfort, joy, and healing to so many. Whether you've met her in person or simply heard stories about her calm, kind spirit, you know she's one of a kind.

To me, Nala is more than a therapy dog. She’s my best friend a little companion. She's been by my side through thick and thin and now I need to be there for her.

Last week, Nala was diagnosed with diabetes. We immediately began managing it with insulin and diet changes, and she was also spayed, a step that can help stabilise her condition. But despite our best efforts, her blood sugar has remained dangerously high.

Last night, she took a sudden turn for the worse.

This morning, I rushed her to the emergency vet, where she was diagnosed with Diabetic Ketoacidosis (DKA) — a life-threatening complication of diabetes. Her body is in crisis, and she needs intensive care over the next 48 hours to flush the toxins and stabilise her condition.

Time is critical. Without urgent treatment, DKA can be fatal, but with this intervention, she can get though this.

I’ve covered all of Nala’s vet bills up until now, but this emergency treatment is beyond what I can afford alone. That’s why I’m reaching out, with a heart full of hope and a deep love for littke Nalapuos im asking for your help.

If you’re able to contribute, no matter how small, it would mean the world to us. Even £1 will help. And if you can’t donate, please consider sharing this page. Every bit of support, every kind word, every share, it all helps.

Let’s get her back to her old self and back to doing what she does best, spreading love and healing to everyone around her.
Thank you.

Jenny & Nala

Many of you know Nala as the gentle, loving therapy dog from Small Strides, who has brough… Jenny MacSharry needs your support for Nalas Emergency Vet Fund

🌿 We're Hiring: Horticulture Therapist/Practitioner /Ecotherapist or practioner 🌿Or someone with relevant experience to ...
29/05/2025

🌿 We're Hiring:

Horticulture Therapist/Practitioner /Ecotherapist or practioner 🌿

Or someone with relevant experience to run a therapeutic garden group.

Join the Small Strides CIC Team!

Are you passionate about the healing power of nature?

We're looking for a Trauma-Informed Horticulture or Eco Therapist or practioner to work one day a week at our Equine Therapy Centre.

What we're looking for:
🌱 Experience working with neurodivergent children and adults
🌿 Skilled in supporting those with SEN and mental health challenges
🌾 A compassionate, creative approach to therapeutic gardening and nature-based activities
🪴 Trauma-informed

Why join us?

At Small Strides CIC, we believe in the transformative power of nature and animals.

You’ll be part of a supportive team, combining horticulture and eco/nature therapy to help people grow, inside and out.

👉This will run on 1 week day of your choice.
👉 Roughly 4 hours.
👉Must be self employed
👉Hourly Wage based on experience.

Interested?
To apply plewse send your CV to email us at [email protected]

Help us plant the seeds of healing and growth. 🌿💚

Discover Calm in Nature’s Circle 🌿🐴This week we have spent time, with clients to create Nature Mandala...beautiful circu...
23/05/2025

Discover Calm in Nature’s Circle 🌿🐴

This week we have spent time, with clients to create Nature Mandala...beautiful circular art made from leaves, flowers, sticks, stones, and other treasures found outdoors 🌸🍃🪵🪨

Why a mandala?

Because building these natural designs helps children:
✨ Find calm and focus
🧠 Develop mindfulness and creativity
❤️ Connect with nature and their emotions
🤲 Practice patience and gentle hands
🐎 Bond with horses in a peaceful, grounded way

Exploring feelings through nature and art is so powerful.

Address

Beach
Bristol
BS306NP

Opening Hours

Tuesday 9:30am - 4:30pm
Friday 9:30am - 3:30pm

Telephone

07817997568

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