Edinburgh EquiLearn turns to local businesses for help after referrals rise by 64 per cent
- By editor
- 9 hours ago
- 3 min read
A small local organisation supporting children and young people through equine assisted learning is reaching out to businesses for help after seeing a 64 per cent increase in referrals over the past year.
Edinburgh EquiLearn works with children and young people alongside its horses, providing a calm and supportive environment where they can build confidence, develop emotional and social skills and have somewhere they feel safe and understood.
While the team say they are delighted that more families and professionals are discovering EquiLearn and recognising the difference the support can make, the sharp rise in referrals has also brought a challenge – finding enough funding to make sure children and young people can access a place regardless of their family’s financial circumstances.
Like many small organisations, Edinburgh EquiLearn applies regularly for grants to help fund places, but with so many charities and community projects competing for the same limited funding, the team has announced that they are now trying something different, by asking local businesses to help sponsor places for children and young people.
For £70 a month, or £840 for a full year, a local business can sponsor a child’s place at EquiLearn.
A spokesperson for Edinburgh EquiLearn said: “We’re genuinely delighted that referrals have increased because it means more people are hearing about what we do and recognising how much some children and young people can benefit from this type of environment.
“But with that comes the difficult question of how we make sure that cost isn’t the reason someone misses out.
“We’re a small organisation and we work really hard to keep our prices as low as possible, but there are some costs we simply can’t avoid. Horses are wonderful partners in the work we do, but they are also expensive animals to care for. There’s feed, bedding, farrier visits, veterinary care, insurance and all the everyday costs that come with keeping them happy and healthy.
“We apply for as many suitable grants as we can, but there are so many brilliant charities and organisations trying to access the same funding pots and unfortunately there just isn’t enough to go around.
“So, we thought we’d try something a little different and ask our local business community if they might like to be part of what we’re doing.
“The sum of £70 a month can provide a child with a funded place at EquiLearn. For a business, that might be a relatively small monthly commitment, but for the child or young person who gets that place, it could mean an enormous amount.”
The team are keen to stress that businesses do not have to commit to a full year of sponsorship to get involved:
“We completely understand that businesses are asked to support lots of good causes and that sponsoring a full place won’t be possible for everyone,” the spokesperson added.
“If a business would like to contribute towards part of a place instead, we would be incredibly grateful. Every contribution helps us get a little closer to saying yes to another child or young person.”
Edinburgh EquiLearn hopes that its campaign will not only create more funded places but also build lasting connections with businesses and supporters in the local community.
Businesses or individuals who would like to sponsor a place, contribute towards one or simply find out more about Edinburgh EquiLearn are encouraged to get in touch.
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