Gloucestershire charity announces UK's first equine-facilitated sensory room for SEND children

Gloucestershire charity, Horses for Wellbeing, is planning to open a sensory room designed specifically for children with special educational needs and disabilities (SEND) — the UK's first to be based at an equine facility.

By Kaleigh Pritchard | Published Tuesday 30 April 2024

Horses for Wellbeing provides support for children and young people to improve their physical, emotional and mental wellbeing, through the 'transformative' power of horses — and it's planning to open a new sensory room for children with SEND.

Elkstone-based equine-facilitated learning charity, Horses for Wellbeing, has announced plans to open a sensory room designed specifically for children with SEND at its stables in Cheltenham.

The first in the UK to be located at an equine facility, the sensory room will be located next door to the stables and kitted out with various tools and equipment, such as comfortable seating and sensory toys, to create a quiet and calming environment for those sensitive to loud noise and harsh lighting.

The room will allow children to take a break during their horse therapy sessions, making the space more inclusive and supportive for everyone who attends.

Made possible with a grant from the Screwfix Foundation, the project will allow Horses for Wellbeing to continue providing life-changing support to young people through interaction with horses, while making every session comfortable, safe and accessible for children with additional needs.

Mariachiara Apruzzese, CEO of Horses for Wellbeing, said: 'We believe that every child deserves the opportunity to experience the therapeutic benefits of working with horses.

'By offering a sensory room, we can ensure that children with SEND can engage in our programmes in a supportive environment.'

Horses for Wellbeing