As a registered Alternative Learning Provider (ALP), we work with local schools, local authorities, the police and other children’s service providers across four local authorities to improve the lives of disadvantaged and vulnerable children. Since 2007 we have been working with children and young people who are at risk of exclusion from school, have special educational needs or who are experiencing life challenges due to their social, emotional and mental health needs. By bringing them together with rescued horses we see results when nothing else has worked.
Watch Discovery student Charlie's inspirational story below:
The Discovery approach
Following the nationally recognised Thrive approach to learning, our facilitators deliver trauma-informed support to improve the educational, mental health and wellbeing outcomes of children and young people. Drawing from the latest research in neuroscience, attachment theory and models of child development our horses and facilitators help young people learn to regulate themselves, build confidence and resilience so that they are better able to engage with life and learning.
Each young person’s time with us starts with a Team Around the Child meeting; together with child, carer, school & referrer we agree desired outcomes. Then the facilitators tailor the programme accordingly. All our trained Discovery horses & ponies have their own stories and quirks and we find our young people can often connect with these. The horses know nothing of the child’s past and work only with what they see today, this lack of judgement and gift of time, can be nothing short of transformational.
Discovery testimonials (2024-2025)
Feedback from referrers (2017-2024)
90%
rate Discovery as excellent
93%
see a positive change in attitude to learning
86%
see a positive impact in the classroom
