Our Commitment to Making a Difference

Two years ago, we transformed a wasteland into a thriving community site with the help of 90 volunteers and over 2000 hours of effort. This site now serves as a hub for connection and wellbeing.

Since June 2020, we've made significant strides in reducing social isolation:

• Hosted 10 free community events with a "pay as you can" model, all focused on wellbeing and connection. Events included:
  • Yoga sessions
  • Jewelry-making workshops
  • Massage
  • Live music
  • Sharing food
  • Playing games
• Ran a two-year free therapy service for individuals aged 16+, offering access two days a week without waiting lists.
  • Adapted over time to support families, couples.
  • User led adaptions included several spaces across the site for sessions, online provision, movement therapy
  • Over 330 individuals engaged in our preventative therapy program.
• Extended outreach to public health, education, and justice services.
  • Collaborated with 25 local businesses to provide activities and build strong community relationships.
  • Supported over 90 individuals to take up further education and employment.
• Distributed over 100 food boxes using locally sourced food from Mr. Neeps.
  • Included recipe cards to encourage healthy eating and cooking at home.
  • Provided £8000 to families in need.
• Event Attendance:
  • On average, our events attract around 50 attendees.
  • At least 50% of attendees are from marginalized groups or young people.
• Community Strengthening:
  • Employed 15 local individuals who continue to reside in the area, fostering a sense of stability and community.
  • Promoted tourism and local engagement, creating a vibrant and welcoming environment that benefits both residents and visitors.
  • Attracted over 121 visitors to ESR as a tourist activity since 2024.
  • For the last 4 years have worked with community payback teams, providing a safe space for development and giving back.
  • Maintain an average of 35 active volunteers and employees aged 12 to 60 at any one time.

Testimonial: "ESR is a community, a support network that will always try to help you, big or small. ESR is trying to achieve the best welfare for both horses and people, building somewhere that horses and people can feel safe and cared for."

Our advocacy efforts focus on giving a voice to marginalised and underrepresented groups, ensuring their needs and concerns are heard and addressed.

Key Successes:

• Community Consultations: Engaged in 8 community consultations, like our "Democracy Matters" event, emphasizing inclusivity and community involvement.
• National Suicide Strategy: Contributed to the 2023 National Suicide Strategy, hearing from 9 young males involved with the justice team. We learned that many feel unheard if they don't show up for payback or court, and they believe drastic measures are their only way to connect.
• Political Activism: Recently, 11 young people teamed up with 8 adults to set up a political party and campaign their ideas ranged from a "Day Without Social Media" and tighter fines for public services if crimes or animal abuse are not addressed within 24 hours.
• Support Initiatives: Supported 24 individuals through the Independent Living Fund secure funding for qualifications, transport and activities.
• Rural Planning: 21 young people and their families contributed to our local placemaking plans.

Testimonial:

"ESR has given me the confidence to speak up and be heard. Their support has been invaluable."

Our programs are designed to empower young people by building their confidence, skills, and resilience through various educational and recreational activities.

Impact Metrics:

• Average 90 young individuals engaged in our programs a year.
• Provided free therapy services on average for 60 youths a year, supporting mental health and wellbeing.
• In 2023 we supported 25 neuro diverse young people to run their own events on site
• Youth Club has grown to 20 members since its inception 2 years ago
• Each year an average of 60 local high and primary school pupils boost their confidence and empathy through experiential learning with horses and in nature .
• Average duration of employment or volunteer engagement is 3 years, with 100% moving on to positive destinations.

Success Stories:

"Through ESR's workshops, I have developed new skills and made lifelong friends. It has been a life-changing experience."

Key Achievements:

• Qualifications and Training: Young people have gained qualifications such as:
  • Responsible Groom certification from Lingfield University
  • Place2Be peer mentoring.
  • Mental Health in Sports through Mind
  • Child Protection Awareness
  • First Aid and Mental Health First Aid
  • Dynamic Youth Awards credits to gain certifications for higher education
  • Association of British Riding Schools Rosette Awards
  • British Horse Society Riding and Road Safety and Horse Horse
  • SVQ level 5 in Horse Management
• Pony Care Programs: Developed resource books and training modules with our youth on a range of topics such as Poisonous Plants, Health &Safety, Feeding, Grooming and Tacking Up.
• Social Activities: Organised over 20 social and youth focused events in Glasgow and Stirling University, providing broader social engagement opportunities.
• Therapeutic Approach: Adapted our therapeutic approach from feedback to offer shorter, movement-based sessions.

Commitment: We are dedicated to the well-being of our horses, ensuring they receive top-notch care, including regular veterinary check-ups, proper nutrition, and rehabilitation for injured or ill horses.

Key Practices:

• Use of pain ethograms developed by Sue Dyson to assess pain behaviors in facial expressions.
• Pair individuals with horses based on their specific needs, enhancing therapeutic outcomes.
• Implemented a carpet track and barefoot approach for hoof care.
• Utilise various rehabilitation therapies such as Equine Touch, Masterson Method, and Solution Saddles.

Key Statistics:

• All horses under our care are healthy, happy, and thriving.
• Successfully rehabilitated over 35 horses for owners.
• Worked with 14 horses exhibiting pain behaviors and helped them recover.
• Analyzed feed to ensure optimal nutrition.

"Our horses are not just animals; they are part of our family. Seeing them healthy and happy is a testament to our commitment to their welfare."

Environmental Initiatives:

We are passionate about creating and maintaining sustainable green spaces. Our efforts include planting trees, developing green spaces, promoting biodiversity, and implementing eco-friendly practices.

Measurable Impacts:

1. Planted over 1000 trees across the site
2. Developed a butterfly garden.
3. Rewilded over 2 acres of land.
4. Conducted biodiversity and climate change studies.
5. Completed a carbon audit.
6. Passed the Carbon Literacy Keeping Scotland Beautiful qualifiaction
7. Renovated two Mongolian yurts and built an off-grid tiny house with local, sustainable materials.
8. Installed solar power for sustainable energy use.
9. Created habitats for endangered species such as oyster catchers, skylarks, and hares.
10. Developing a sensory space, chicken coop, and community garden.

Community Involvement:

1. Young people advocated for and contributed to the creation of a pond and a nature wall.
2. All products, including feed and contracted services, are sourced locally.
3. Aim to turn horse manure into biofuel.
4. Ongoing reuse and recycle initiatives.
5. The founder is a volunteer for Save the Children and actively fights against climate change.

Testimonial From Staff Team:

"Our environmental initiatives have not only beautified the area but also brought the community together to work towards a common goal."

We strive to make all our programs and services accessible and inclusive, ensuring that everyone, regardless of their background or abilities, can participate and benefit. Our commitment includes adapting our facilities, providing training, and developing policies to support diverse needs.

Key Initiatives:

• Wheelchair User Audits: Prior to planning a build, we always conduct a lived experience wheelchair user audit of our space to ensure accessibility. We have conducted 4 audits over the last 2 years.
• Training from Lived Experience: We prioritise training from individuals with lived experience to improve our inclusivity practices. This has enabled us to understand and implement training procedures from those experiences.
• Neurodiversity Award: Finalist for the Neurodiversity Award in 2022 by Scottish Union for Supported Employment.
• Easy-Read Policies: Our health and safety and employment safeguarding policies are available in easy-read formats to ensure comprehensibility for all participants.
• Sensory Equipment and Safe Spaces Include:.
  • Ear defenders
  • Separate toilets
  • Disabled parking
  • Videos to help people before visiting to familiarise themselves with spaces to reduce anxiety
  • Development of digital passports.
  • Ridden and non-ridden Equipment, toys, books and board games.
  • Rocking horse to practice balance.
  • Various colors, lights, touch, and smell elements across the site.
  • We now have 5 safe and separate spaces
• Free Activities: For young people with disabilities during the summer of 2024. We provide a free session once a week this is due to high demand for our services and lack of support for families.
• Inclusive Job Applications: Implemented inclusive job application processes.
• Care Home Visits: Average 6 visits a year to care homes and respite centres annually to extend our support.
• Participant Demographics: 80% of the people we work with have a physical or mental disability or live with someone who does.

Testimonial:

"ESR's commitment to inclusivity has made a huge difference in my life. They truly care about making their services accessible to all."

At Eat Sleep Ride CIC, we have a deep respect for all horses and the invaluable lessons they teach us about leadership, resilience, and connection. We are committed to fostering positive behavior changes and raising aspirations, particularly among young people, families, and our wider community.

Our strategic focus is on creating lasting social and environmental impact through five key outcomes:

1. Enhanced Wellbeing: We aim to improve the physical and mental health of individuals, while strengthening their connection to the community.
2. Resilience and Fulfillment: We help people develop strong coping strategies, enabling them to lead healthier, happier lives with deeper, more meaningful relationships.
3. Therapeutic Access: We provide life-enhancing therapeutic activities centered around horses and the countryside, accessible to all.
4. Youth Empowerment: We equip young people with essential employability skills, opening up greater opportunities for their future.
5. Environmental Stewardship: We are committed to reducing our environmental impact, working towards a net-zero facility, and sharing our journey to inspire others.