Support grant gets Dion in the saddle
A special grant to support children and young people with disabilities has made it possible for a Nuneaton boy to develop new skills through horse-riding.
Warwickshire County Council’s Integrated Disability Service allocated funding from the national Aiming High for Disabled Children’s Short Breaks, Inclusion Support Programme to allow eight-year old, Dion Goodenough from Nuneaton to enjoy the equestrian experience.
Dion, who has autism and Down’s syndrome, was introduced to horse-riding through Woodlands School and found the activity helped develop co-ordination, communication and sensory skills. When the sessions were due to come to an end the IDS were able to use the short breaks funding to continue this great benefit for him.
Dion and his family are thrilled with the news, his mother Tracey explained: “This has made a real difference to Dion. The activity has gained his interest and motivated him. It has given him a reason to communicate with us now and he always comes home from riding, talking all about the horses, it’s wonderful.”
Dion’s sessions take place at Moor Farm Stables in Corley Moor, near Coventry where stable owner Liz Beaty specialises in running holistic teaching sessions for a number of school groups and individuals.
Working with Liz, Suzanne Everitt from IDS and Social Care Worker Steve Austin have supported Dion through his learning experiences. Suzanne said: “It’s a pleasure working with Liz, the children here get so much out of their time at the stables.
“It’s very therapeutic in a number of ways as they learn about the complete care of the ponies. The riding is excellent for balance and developing sensation and grooming allows them to bond and trust the animals.”
The IDS have received central government funding to deliver Aiming High locally. Short breaks are just one element of the initiative which enables young people like Dion to get access to help and services.
The Integrated Disability Service consulted widely with parents and young people about what they wanted from Aiming High and families are able apply for different packages of support to meet their own needs.
For more information about Aiming High please visit http://www.dcsf.gov.uk/everychildmatters.
To find out more about Warwickshire County Council’s Integrated Disability Service please call 01926 742977 or visit http://www.warwickshire.gov.uk/ids.