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Our Stepping Stones Client Joe’s Story

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Stables? In Teddington?  Even many locals do not know that just two minutes walk from Teddington High Street  there are some thriving stables. Even fewer people are aware of all the community work they carry out.

Richmond AID approached Park Lane Stables last year to talk about work experience opportunities for our transitions employment project called Stepping Stones. This first visit has now developed into a fruitful partnership and this is because of the incredibly positive and open attitude of all the staff and Natalie, who runs the stable.

Our trailblazer for this work at the stables is Joe Coleman. Joe is 16, attends Clarendon School in Hampton and is on the Autistic Spectrum. Joe is picked up from school and has one-to-one support on his sessions. From day one the team at the stables were so welcoming and patient as Joe peppered them with a million questions about the horses. Joe hugely enjoys the social element here as a large number of volunteers of all ages revolve around the staff team of Natalie, Mike, Izabel & Amy.

When the 4pm horse ride leaves, Joe gets to work. He helps staff to muck out the stables, replenish the horses’ hay, lay down their straw beds, sweep through the stables and helps with the horses’ feeds at the end of the day. Joe is also learning how to groom the horses – you wouldn’t believe how many different types of brushes there are!

Talking to Natalie O’ Rourke who runs the stables, it’s clear that the ‘community’ aspect of her work is close to her heart. As a working stables they offer rides around nearby Bushy Park, riding lessons and all the usual services – but what is harder to quantify is the family atmosphere you find in the stables as the staff and the many volunteers welcome all newcomers regardless of age, ability or background.

Natalie says, “When we first opened I wanted it to be friendly and I knew I needed to find the right staff.” Natalie wants more disabled people in the borough to be able to access the horses. The team are aware that not everybody is able, or wants to ride a horse – but they would like to provide the opportunity for those that would benefit greatly from spending time with and grooming the horses. “I’ve got a young baby with Downs Syndrome and recently did a Downs Syndrome awareness event at the stables. Also, having started working closely with Richmond AID and providing opportunities for people with a whole range of impairments it has got me thinking about doing much more.” Through our work together we now have:

  • Two young lads with Autistic Spectrum Disorder regularly visiting the stables after they finish school
  • A man who is profoundly deaf and uses British Sign Language now helps out at the every week
  • Clients with mental health issues who are regularly visiting the stables to help groom the horses.

Natalie tells us she is now exploring the possibility of the horses doing some outreach work at schools and  community centres. One option is to apply for funding for a mechanical horse which can be taken around schools and other venues to encourage wider participation in horse riding as a health activity!

So let’s hear it for Natalie and all the gang  – they provide a wealth of opportunities and are a pleasure for us to work with. Park Lane Stables, Teddington, market themselves as London’s friendliest stables. We would certainly not argue with that!