Small Strides CIC

12/12/2024

I have 2 spaces become available to work with myself (Jenny) starting in January on a Thursday or Friday 12pm-1pm.

This space is for either teens or adults on a 12-week program.

If you are interested in working with me, please get in contact to see how I can help.

I will be offering EFP (Equine Facilitated Psychotherapy) as a student to develop my practice until I qualify in May.I would like to begin to talk to you about how I will be working in the New Year.

As many of you know I have been studying with Equusoma and Natural Lifemanship along side my Counselling YP Children and Adults training.

I am Level 2 practioner with NL & Equusoma and in my final 3rd year of Counselling.

I will be working with 16-25 and adults. The other Facilitators at the centre will be working with younger children offering Equine Facilitated Learning.

Equine Facilitated Psychotherapy (EFP) with a somatic focus combines the therapeutic benefits of working with horses and somatic (body-based) approaches to healing. This form of therapy emphasizes the connection between the mind and body, using interactions with horses to foster emotional, psychological, and physical well-being. I integrate the Equusoma and Natural Lifemanship models.

Here are the benefits:

1. Somatic Awareness and Regulation

Body Awareness: Interacting with horses encourages individuals to become more attuned to their bodily sensations, helping them recognize physical manifestations of emotions, such as tension or relaxation.

Nervous System Regulation: Horses have a calming presence and can help clients learn to regulate their nervous system, moving from states of hyperarousal (e.g., anxiety) or hypoarousal (e.g., numbness) to a balanced state.

2. Emotional Processing

Nonverbal Communication: Horses are highly attuned to nonverbal cues, making them excellent mirrors for human emotions. This helps individuals process emotions they may not have words for.

Emotional Safety: The nonjudgmental nature of horses provides a safe space to explore and express emotions.

3. Trauma Healing

Trauma Release: Somatic approaches often focus on releasing trauma stored in the body. The presence and movements of horses can facilitate this process.

Empowerment: Building trust with a large and powerful animal can help trauma survivors regain a sense of control and confidence.

4. Improved Relationships and Boundaries

Learning Boundaries: Horses respond to energy and intention, teaching individuals how to set and respect boundaries.

Building Trust: Establishing a connection with a horse helps clients practice trust and vulnerability in a safe environment, which can translate to human relationships.

5. Mindfulness and Presence

Living in the Moment: Horses live in the present, encouraging individuals to practice mindfulness and let go of past regrets or future anxieties.

Grounding: Grooming, feeding, and riding horses provide grounding activities that anchor individuals in the present moment.

6. Stress Reduction

Physical Touch: Activities like grooming horses can lower cortisol levels and reduce stress.

Nature Connection: Spending time in natural settings with horses has additional calming effects on the mind and body.

7. Enhanced Self-Awareness

Insight into Patterns: Interactions with horses often reveal unconscious behavioral patterns, offering opportunities for reflection and growth.

Self-Compassion: Horses' nonjudgmental acceptance helps clients develop greater compassion for themselves.

8. Physical Benefits

Movement Therapy: Activities like horseback riding can improve posture, balance, and coordination, contributing to overall somatic integration.

Endorphin Release: Physical interaction with horses promotes the release of endorphins, which improve mood and reduce pain perception.

By integrating somatic principles with the unique therapeutic qualities of horses, Equine Facilitated Psychotherapy provides a holistic approach to healing, addressing psychological and physical aspects of well-being.

I hold a BACP membership and will be working alongside regular supervision. Please head over to my page, where I would like to explain a bit about my approach.

#

11/12/2024

I'm looking for someone to help put together an evaluation/ progress report. Analysing the data we have collected showng the impact of our work.

Thank you in advance ☺️

06/12/2024

It was a lovely night out for the Small Strides Christmas meal with the team, we almost had everyone...but sadly missed Kirsty as she was unwell.

Thank you all for coming and an even bigger THANK YOU for all your help and support, Small Strides wouldn't be what it is today without you all.

❤️

23/11/2024

It's taken me a while to process this, hence not sharing earlier. But I feel now is the right time!

Earlier this year, I got my official diagnosis of ADHD. I had known for a while and been on a waiting list for nearly 2 years before finding out about the right to choose.

Having a diagnosis has really helped me to put things into perspective, understand myself better, have more compassion and understanding for myself, and put things into place to support my needs. It also has massively helped me in working with my clients, both adults and children.

Living with ADHD is a journey filled with both struggles and strengths.

On one hand, it can make life incredibly challenging. I struggle with daily tasks, forgetfulness, and losing things constantly. Procrastination feels like a constant battle, and I sometimes feel overwhelmed trying to stay on top of everything.

Maintaining relationships is another area where ADHD impacts me. Rejection Sensitive Dysphoria (RSD) makes even small conflicts or perceived criticism feel deeply painful, leaving me second-guessing myself or withdrawing from people.

I also struggle with college and am easily distracted, I lose focus and struggle to take in information as well as retain it. Studying is long, as I have to re read things over and over again as I can't keep focused, but I do get there in the end. It gives me more determination to succeed.

ADHD also comes with its gifts.

It gives me the drive and motivation to chase my goals, helping me build and run three successful businesses. I’m great at finding solutions to problems and thinking outside the box, which has been a huge advantage in my work. When I’m passionate about a project, my ability to hyperfocus allows me to dive in completely, bringing ideas to life in ways that surprise even me.

ADHD is a constant push-and-pull. It brings challenges that test me every day, but it’s also helped me achieve things I’m deeply proud of.

I’m learning to navigate this balance and embrace who I am—imperfections and all.

22/11/2024

Spending time with horses in nature is especially beneficial for neurodivergent children, such as those with autism, ADHD, or other developmental differences, due to the unique combination of sensory, emotional, and social benefits it offers. Here’s why:

1. Non-Verbal Communication

Horses communicate primarily through body language, which can be easier for neurodivergent children to understand and engage with, offering a safe way to practice social interactions without the pressure of verbal communication.

2. Sensory Regulation

Many neurodivergent children experience sensory sensitivities. Interacting with horses provides controlled sensory input, such as the feel of the horse’s coat, the rhythmic movement of riding, and the sounds of nature, which can help regulate sensory processing.

3. Emotional Connection and Empathy

Horses are highly intuitive and respond to emotions, helping children learn about their own feelings and how to manage them. The bond with a horse can foster empathy and emotional connection in a low-pressure environment.

4. Building Confidence and Independence

Activities like grooming, leading, or riding a horse give children a sense of accomplishment, boosting their confidence and teaching responsibility. This can be particularly empowering for children who may struggle with traditional tasks.

5. Reducing Stress and Anxiety

Neurodivergent children often face heightened stress due to sensory overload or social demands. The calming presence of horses and the tranquility of nature can lower cortisol levels and provide a sense of peace.

6. Promoting Focus and Attention

Working with horses requires focus, patience, and clear communication, which can help improve attention span and reduce impulsivity in children with ADHD or similar conditions.

7. Encouraging Social Skills

Many equine programs involve group activities, where children learn to share, take turns, and communicate with peers in a structured and supportive setting.

8. Structured Yet Flexible Environment

Horses thrive on routine and predictability, which can be comforting for children who benefit from structured environments. At the same time, interactions with horses are dynamic and adaptable, providing a balance between routine and creativity.

9. Physical Benefits

Riding and other horse-related activities improve coordination, balance, and core strength, which can benefit children with motor challenges.

10. Therapeutic Interventions

Equine-assisted therapy, tailored specifically for neurodivergent children, incorporates horse care and interaction into therapeutic goals, addressing specific developmental, emotional, or behavioral needs.

In essence, the combination of a horse's intuitive nature and the calming influence of the natural environment creates a unique, multisensory experience that nurtures the whole child—emotionally, socially, and physically.

21/11/2024

I would like to begin to talk to you about how I will be working in the New Year.

As many of you know I have been studying with Equusoma and Natural Lifemanship along side my Counselling YP Children and Adults training.

I am Level 2 practioner with NL & Equusoma and in my final 3rd year of Counselling.

In 2025 i will be offering EFP as a student to develop my practice until I qualify in May. I hold a student BACP membership and will be working alongside regular supervision. I would like to explain a bit about my approach.

I will be working with 16-25 and adults. The other Facilitators at the centre will be working with younger children offering Equine Facilitated Learning.

Equine Facilitated Psychotherapy (EFP) with a somatic focus combines the therapeutic benefits of working with horses and somatic (body-based) approaches to healing. This form of therapy emphasizes the connection between the mind and body, using interactions with horses to foster emotional, psychological, and physical well-being. I integrate the Equusoma and Natural Lifemanship models.

Here are the benefits:

1. Somatic Awareness and Regulation

Body Awareness: Interacting with horses encourages individuals to become more attuned to their bodily sensations, helping them recognize physical manifestations of emotions, such as tension or relaxation.

Nervous System Regulation: Horses have a calming presence and can help clients learn to regulate their nervous system, moving from states of hyperarousal (e.g., anxiety) or hypoarousal (e.g., numbness) to a balanced state.

2. Emotional Processing

Nonverbal Communication: Horses are highly attuned to nonverbal cues, making them excellent mirrors for human emotions. This helps individuals process emotions they may not have words for.

Emotional Safety: The nonjudgmental nature of horses provides a safe space to explore and express emotions.

3. Trauma Healing

Trauma Release: Somatic approaches often focus on releasing trauma stored in the body. The presence and movements of horses can facilitate this process.

Empowerment: Building trust with a large and powerful animal can help trauma survivors regain a sense of control and confidence.

4. Improved Relationships and Boundaries

Learning Boundaries: Horses respond to energy and intention, teaching individuals how to set and respect boundaries.

Building Trust: Establishing a connection with a horse helps clients practice trust and vulnerability in a safe environment, which can translate to human relationships.

5. Mindfulness and Presence

Living in the Moment: Horses live in the present, encouraging individuals to practice mindfulness and let go of past regrets or future anxieties.

Grounding: Grooming, feeding, and riding horses provide grounding activities that anchor individuals in the present moment.

6. Stress Reduction

Physical Touch: Activities like grooming horses can lower cortisol levels and reduce stress.

Nature Connection: Spending time in natural settings with horses has additional calming effects on the mind and body.

7. Enhanced Self-Awareness

Insight into Patterns: Interactions with horses often reveal unconscious behavioral patterns, offering opportunities for reflection and growth.

Self-Compassion: Horses' nonjudgmental acceptance helps clients develop greater compassion for themselves.

8. Physical Benefits

Movement Therapy: Activities like horseback riding can improve posture, balance, and coordination, contributing to overall somatic integration.

Endorphin Release: Physical interaction with horses promotes the release of endorphins, which improve mood and reduce pain perception.

By integrating somatic principles with the unique therapeutic qualities of horses, Equine Facilitated Psychotherapy provides a holistic approach to healing, addressing both psychological and physical aspects of well-being.

07/11/2024

I would like share our article in the BBC Points West, which was published today.

For 10 years now Small Strides has been working with neurodiverse & SEN children throughout Bristol, Bath and surrounding areas. We have had a huge impact in the lives of many, but for a few years now had noticed the lack of support for parents.

In 2023 we piloted a program to help parents of Neurodivergent and SEN children, and we had great feedback in the impact of these sessions.

We secured further funding this year from the amazing The CiaO Foundation to run some Mental Well-being Retreat Days for parents. We are now looking into more funding for 2025 to help support others parents or carers who are facing challenges and need some extra support.

www.smallstrides.co.uk

Organisers say it helps families who are "stressed and overwhelmed" by their caring responsibilities.

03/11/2024

🐴🐴 VOLUNTEER OPPORTUNITIES 🐴🐴

Can you spare 2 hours a week to volunteer for our organisation 🙏

We are currently looking for new volunteers to join our team. We have vacancies on the following days 👇

👉 Tuesday Morning & Evening (flexible times)
👉 Monday morning 8-10 and Evening 4pm - 6pm
👉 Saturday Morning 8am -10am
👉 Sunday evening (flexible)

This will include the following :

🐴 Horse Care/Yard Duties
Including ENRICHMENT activities with the horses.

The role will include all yard jobs and care of the horses. You will be lone working on the yard so must be competent. Induction Training given!

You will also be required to give the horses enrichment time, grooming, walks, playing games etc between client sessions.

The ideal candidate will be:
👉 18+ and drives due to location of stables, 👉 Empathetic with horses
👉 Kind and caring
👉 Able to lone work or in a team
👉 Self Motivated
👉 Natural horsemanship background would be amazing but not essential.

We are located between Bath and Bristol near lansdown/Wick area BS30

Please DM or email Jenny at
[email protected] for an application form.

02/11/2024

I just want to say a huge thank you to everyone who applied for the facilitator position. Applications for this are now closed.

I will be going through all applications this coming week and will be in touch soon.

All the best ... Jenny

01/11/2024

We had the cat shed built last week and one of the clients helped move everything in there today and settle them in.

We are gonna add some shelves and other things for them to play with, but for now this is the perfect new home for them.

26/10/2024

We have an unexpected space available startibg November on Mondaya at 12.30-1.30pm on our 6 Week Therapeutic Horse Care Course  

🏫This Course has been developed for individuals who are struggling and finding challenges in educational settings, the community or at home.  We specialize in working with children on the autistic spectrum and with additional learning needs.  

🐎The program is based on traditional horse care, therapeutic, attuned horsemanship combined with experimental learning and Somatic coaching .

👨‍🏫Not only does this course teach valuable skills in working with and looking after horses it is also designed to support emotional regulation.

The way the course is designed each week will cover both practical and theory for children to learn. Learning new skills and having a safe environment to support success helps to boost confidence and build self-esteem.  

Those with poor concentration soon develop an improved focus when set different activities with the horses.  

Stress and anxiety can also be reduced as participants benefit from the social and emotional interactions with other individuals and also by forming a bond with their horse.

The program is split into 3 parts; Acedemic, Horse Care and Horse Handeling. Each part and its related sessions are aimed for participants to meet a range of outcomes.  

“I have been taking my 6 year old son to small strides for the last 3 weeks.. he has autism & concentrating difficulties but has a deep love of animals especially horses... after only 3 sessions he has progressed to being able to just cope with 30 mins to now a full hour session & is absolutely loving it!.... jenny is lovely.. very professional & extremely patient & I'm over the moon with my little boys progress so far!”

“Wow what can I say I have a boy age 11 ASD/ADHD/attachment disorder hasn't stepped foot in a classroom for a year and cannot be around other children.Second week on horse care course doing amazing and has done some written work. I take my hat off to you, words cannot describe how fab you are and the work you do with these children. Thank you.

25/10/2024

One of our clients finished sessions yesterday, after attending the past 3 years.

This was a massive step for him in deciding himself that it was a good time to finish. It came with struggles and difficult emotions. However, we were able to work through these so he could find peace in making his decision.

For his final session, we championed all his achievements during his time with the horses and put together a scrap book of memories. Including horse hair, lots of photos, and a horse show to accompany. I painted some pebbles for him as a keep sale to support him in his next chapter.

Here's the message he left to share with others:

"Small Strides is a safe place to go to when you are feeling down and to help you with your emotions and problems. It helped me a lot to feel better in myself believe in myself. I would definitely recommend to other children who are struggling as it is a good place to go to"

19/10/2024

NEW HOODIES HAVE ARRIVED !!

For those that have already ordered, they are at the yard ready to collect.

If you haven't already ordered your 10 YEARS OF SMALL STRIDES exclusive hoodie, then drop me a DM and we can place an order.

£30 each and a range of colours.

18/10/2024

A lovely morning with one of our clients, repotting plants, and having a general tidu up in the garden.

There are so many therapeutic benefits of gardening, some of these include:

Physical health
Gardening can improve mobility through gentle movement and exercise

Mental health
Gardening can improve mental health through a sense of purpose, hope, and achievement. It can also help reduce feelings of isolation and exclusion.

Social health
Gardening can provide opportunities to connect with others.

Education and training
Gardening can provide opportunities to learn new skills, which can increase confidence and self-fulfillment. 

We are excited to be creating a whiole new space here at the Small Strides HQ where we will be holding ecotherapy for clients who want to experience mental well-being in nature through gardening and growing veg. Im very excited to becputtjng the plans together for this behind the scenes.

11/10/2024

A lovely afternoon teaching Equine Massage for Horse Owners to one of my clients.

They have been attending sessions here a few years and have their own horse, which they ride and wanted to learn some new skills to help the.

It's really nice to be able to share my additional training and skills with clients to help support them with their own horses.

#

10/10/2024

Today is world Mental Health Day so I want to share with you how horses can help improve your Mental Health!

Being around horses is often an effective means of therapy for people struggling with mental illness. They provide opportunities to get outdoors and be in nature, which alone has its own positive therapeutic benefits as well as teaching people about responsibility.

Horses can be good for your mental health in a number of ways:

🙋🏼Getting in Touch With Your Feelings
While people struggling with mental illness might seem overly emotional, most of them struggle to identify or process their feelings. The emotions get stuck inside of them and they do not know how to get around them to move forward with their lives.

Equine therapy is a great way to get in touch with emotions. Horses are very sensitive animals and will react to emotions even when you do not realize you are exhibiting them. When a horse senses aggression, he will become obstinate, for example. If the horse is not performing they way you want him to, it can be a clue that he is reacting to your emotions.

Using the horse’s reactions to identifying your emotions can be one of the first steps in understanding and dealing with them. A horse will respond more favorably to being approached by someone who is open. When you understand and clear your own emotions, the reward will be a positive response from the horse.

🙋🏼Improving Communication Skills
Horses are excellent communicators even though they do not speak. They can develop relationships with other animals and people by expressing their needs and feelings through non-verbal cues. By understanding and reading a horses behavior you can tell how the horses is feeling I.e calm and relaxed in your presence or agitated and angry.

Recovering from mental illness usually requires improving communication skills. Mental illness forces people into isolation and their ability to communicate with others is not exercised. The first part of recovery can be spent reconnecting with yourself, but when you are ready, you need to learn how to build connections with others.

Being around or working with horses gives you an opportunity to practice receiving messages, one of the more difficult parts of communication for many people. Since the horse cannot speak, you have to observe its behavior and mannerisms to figure out what it needs. This is good practice for improving communication skills with people.

🙋‍♂️Overcoming Fears
Overcoming fear and building confidence are important parts of recovering from mental health issues. Problems such as addiction or depression leave people feeling hurt and vulnerable. Rebuilding self-confidence is one important element of regaining mental health and becoming resilient to future traumas.

Horses are big strong animals that incite fear in many people. Before getting to know their gentle nature, you might be concerned that the horse won’t like you or that you could get hurt working around it. Equine therapy involves safe situations in which to recognize your fears and confront them. When you realize how quickly you can overcome such fears, your confidence is increased to face other situations that make your fearful.

🙋‍♂️Building Trust
For many people suffering from mental illness, trust has been broken over and over again. Victims of trauma and abuse, whether at their own hand or someone else’s, can find it difficult to trust anyone. Sometimes one of the underlying issues is that they do not trust themselves and their own judgment.

Horses do not judge or manipulate. They are kind and straightforward creatures. Just being around a horse can help you begin to re-learn how to build trust.

Participating in certain focused activities like horse agility requires a deeper level of trust and the need increases as the handling skills become more developed. The horse has to trust that you will direct it carefully and not lead it into danger.

Once you see that you can develop the needed trust in a horse to have a safe relationship, you will realize that trust can be built. Trusting an animal much bigger and stronger than yourself shows you that you can develop trust in another person, as well.

"Small Strides is such a wonderful, magical place. 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 🙂"

Here at Small Strides cic we recognise that being around horses has a number of benefits for mental health and emotional healing, as well as getting you outside in the fresh air and re-connecting with nature ❤️

02/10/2024

We are looking for a new practitioner to join our team starting in Jan 2025.

Job Description

Position Title: Equie Facilitated Learning Practioner

Location: Small Strides CIC
4 Acres, Beach, Bristol, BS30 6NP

Hours: 5 - 8 hrs per week

Pay: Depends on experience and will be discussed during interviews

Closing Date: October 31st 2024

More info and job spec: T. 07817997568 or
E. [email protected]

Application by CV and covering letter to [email protected]

Job Discription: Self Emplyed Equine Facilitated Learning Practitioner

👉 Running therapeutic interventions/sessions following the Small Strides model and programs, working primarily with neurodivergent children and those with SEN.

👉 Be competent in session planning to meet individuals' needs and goals and work towards desired outcomes.

👉 Experience working with neurodiverse children and adults.

👉 Must hold a recognised Equine Facilitated Qualification

👉 Experience working with horses using a natural and attuned approach (training will be given in this area) Animal welfare is at the forefront of our organisation.

👉 Trauma Informed.

👉 To ensure safety remains at the centre of the work with children and young people and all work is risk assessed.

👉 To promote the values and principles of Small Strides CIC.

👉 Be reliable and able to work both on your own and part of a diverse team.

👉 Work within and promote policies in relation to equal opportunities, safeguarding, and anti-discriminatory practice.

👉 Undertake any additional and appropriate functions/training as required

Please send all applications via email only FAO: Jenny.

#

21/09/2024

A massive THANK YOU to Richard and Liam at Good Wood Trees and Landscapes 👇 https://www.facebook.com/goodwoodtree

They took out all the old fencing, and cut back the overgrown hedge and put up a new post and rail for us.

Great work, really professional and reliable. I highly recommend their services.