St Colmcille’s Pilot
The St Colmcille’s Equine Assisted Learning Pilot was a project funded by OET and Ulster Garden Villages. This project, based in Downpatrick, worked with some of the most disadvantaged children in the area – those children are vulnerable not just to risks that fall under department of health but also justice, and education.
Project Aims
Equine Assisted Learning (EAL) programmes in primary schools have shown a range of positive outcomes for students, particularly in areas related to social, emotional, and educational development. Key benefits observed in various studies and reports include:
1. Improved Social Skills:
EAL programs help children develop better social interactions, including improved communication skills, empathy, and teamwork. Working with horses requires clear communication and understanding non-verbal cues, which translates into better social interactions with peers and adults.
2. Enhanced Emotional Regulation:
Interaction with horses has been found to help children manage their emotions better. The calming effect of being around horses can reduce anxiety and stress, leading to improved emotional well-being. Children learn to recognize and regulate their emotions through their interactions with horses.
3. Increased Self-Esteem and Confidence:
EAL programs often boost children’s self-esteem and confidence. Successfully completing tasks with horses, can give children a sense of accomplishment and increase their confidence in their abilities.
4. Educational Benefits
These programs can also support academic learning by enhancing concentration, responsibility, and ability to interact.
5.Behavioural Improvements:
Students participating in EAL programs often find it easier to regulate their emotions and behaviours and experience an increase in their own self-esteem which leads to improved peer and family interactions.
The outcomes of their EAL programme has greatly contributed towards a more balanced life for these primary school children. These programmes give them skills to empower them to work to level up the unacceptable health inequalities they face and break the cycles of deprivation and abuse faced by many in their community.
By developing this resilience and skill set at such a young age, it is hoped that they help to create a more economically and socially active population thus reducing the need for NHS services. This example is only a tiny percentage of the need in Northern Ireland, but this funding and delivery model has allowed One Equine Trust to build on this with assistance from additional funders.
We aim to grow provision of services and expand the impact of EAL on current healthcare challenges whilst building up resilient and supportive communities.
See the results and full project report below!