Our impact in 2024/25
We supported 648 vulnerable young people to make positive changes in their lives.
That’s a 42% increase in the number of young people helped since 2023/24.
About the young people we supported in 2024/25
93% belonged to at least one vulnerable group putting them at greater risk of disadvantage and harm
13% were Looked After Children.
25% had safeguarding involvement.
20% had a registered disability.
41% had an Autism Diagnosis.
52% had an Educational Health & Care Plan in place, indicating special educational needs or disabilities.
After attending a SLTH Therapy or Education programme:
93% of young people said they had more confidence in their abilities
93% said their teamwork skills had improved
88% said their communication skills had improved
213 young people achieved a qualification
100% of referring staff agreed that help provided by SLTH was good
100% of referring staff and parents said that ability of young people to manage relationships with their peers had improved
In 2024/25, 81% of young people reported improvement in all three personal development goals set.
This data comes from the goal-based outcomes model, which is the mental health outcomes model of choice for the NHS and CAMHS.
At the start of each programme young people set three personal goals for what they would like to achieve as a result of the programme. These are based on what changes would make the biggest positive impact on their lives at the time.
They rate themselves for these goals at the start and end of the programme on a scale of 0-10.
Personal goals are categorised under the following areas:
LIFE SKILLS
Confidence
Teamwork
Resilience
Time management
Problem solving
Independent Living & Functional Skills
MENTAL HEALTH SKILLS
Engagement in enjoyable activities
Engagement in therapy
Nervous system regulation
Observation skills
Reflection skills
Mentalising (putting yourself in others’ shoes)
Understanding contextual impact on feelings and behaviours
Improving relationships
EMPLOYABILITY SKILLS
Equestrian Industry Accredited Qualifications (BHS)
AQA Awards
King’s Trust Certificates
Communication Skills
Leadership
Numeracy and Literacy
Presentation Skills
The view from young people
This is a very peaceful place. I feel happy here 💛 Horses are nature's healers 💛 I hope many young people find healing here 💛
It has helped me get out of my house when I hadn’t for years.
I have learnt more about horses and an improvement in my mental health and anger too. Remember when I arrived, I was ALWAYS angry? My favourite horse is Tilly, I feel like I taught her as much as she taught me. I helped her adjust better when she was new and was among the first to study her temperament. Hopefully, now she can be less scared around others.
I would say I have learnt to manage frustrations better than before. My experience at SLTH was a learning curve to say the least. From learning to communicate and work better with my peers to managing my anger and improving my mental overall health. I would say that these all fall under the category of “skills” and important life skills. Especially for a professional career and work life.
What our client groups say
SLTH has been a fantastic experience for my students. The staff and horses have helped their confidence and self-esteem. They have enjoyed the sessions thoroughly. Roxeth Primary School
This service is so good. The staff are excellent – calm, clear, confident and caring. The amount of activity and stimulus is well-judged, and if/when a child is dysregulated, they handle it really well...The staff are amazing, very knowledgeable and excellent with our challenging children. PEARS
I really recommend this provision; I have seen a difference in our pupils in multiple ways. Especially their confidence and teamwork. Saracens Therapy Group
Parent’s reactions
I just wanted to say a huge thank you for the care, thought and sensitivity you put into working with X, When he first joined SLTH he was very low and struggling both mentally and physically. These sessions gave him a reason to leave his bedroom, a sense of structure to his week and an additional purpose. I have seen him gain in social confidence and self-esteem as a result of what he has achieved with the horses - it has been a tangible change in him and has given him a space to be himself that is not school or home.
You've been so accommodating of his needs and considerate of his social and emotional development. It was the right intervention at the right time and I cannot recommend this approach enough, especially for young people who are reluctant to open up in traditional forms of talk therapy.