Stable Lives (SL) is a Community Interest Company based at Parbold Equestrian Centre (PEC). Born out of personal experience volunteers at Stable Lives recognise the devastating effect that Post Traumatic Stress Disorder and Mental Health Trauma can have on an individual and their family.
Our location provides a calm, safe place where people can come to mentally rest, relax and reconnect into society and family life. We do this by utilising equine therapy and land-based activities to improve confidence, self-esteem and self-worth. The effects of linking those suffering with mental health issues with horses who have been mentally and physically neglected is incredibly emotive. The development of empathy, compassion and understanding between human and horse is both moving and powerful and provides the groundwork for people to start to rebuild their lives on a firm footing of trust and calm considered friendship and relationship building.
Courses are run by a team of volunteers who bring elite level qualifications from the equine, education and medical professions. Feedback from course participants note the feeling of empowerment, enlightenment and hope for the future. We run our courses with both the individual and their families in mind. Our aim is to equip the whole family with initially respite services then moving into structured rehabilitation into reconnection into society as a team rather than a group of people in crisis.
Our USP is that we can support individuals and families from the recognition of mental distress right through to reconnection into society via land based onsite college courses. We recognise that families are often under extreme pressure in trying to cope with situations such as drug or alcohol dependency and depression, therefore our services include respite days for families and children with the goal of preventing family breakdowns whilst educating and supporting them through the journey of helping a loved one through mental illness and distress.
Stable Lives Vision
To provide a calm, supportive, natural environment where individuals can feel safe when life’s challenges overwhelm.
Our Mission
To work with individuals and their families dealing with, or exposed to physical or mental trauma to enable them to rest, recover and re-connect into society.
Our Objectives
- To use animals, primarily horses, and land-based activities to build self-esteem, enhance learning and aid reintegration into society.
- To incorporate the rehabilitation of people exposed to Mental Health Trauma with the rehabilitation of horses and ponies exposed to mental and physical neglect.
- To provide a non-judgmental environment where families/individuals can support each other.
- To provide respite days for spouses and children of those dealing with pressures of Mental Health issues.
- To explore future personal development through work experience, land-based courses and vocational qualifications.
- To engage in community activities where appropriate.
- To provide volunteering and career opportunities for veterans.
- To acknowledge and celebrate the good times.
- To provide a safe place where people feel safe, calm and welcome.
