Apply for a grant for your organisation to offer a 50% discount on the cost of horse therapy sessions (up to the value of £250 per child) for children/young people who have a neurological difference and live in Somerset, east Devon or north Dorset.
Ask for money by Friday 29 September 2023 and we’ll let you know if we can help you by the end of October 2023.
What is horse therapy?
Horse therapy (or equine-assisted therapy) is provided in a horse-based environment to promote physical, occupational, and emotional growth for people with needs arising from for example, ADHD, anxiety, autism, Cerebral Palsy, dementia, depression, developmental delay, PDA, Down Syndrome, brain injuries and behavioural/abuse issues.
Horses have similar social and responsive behaviours to humans, making it easier to create a connection with them, and animals give immediate feedback. Horses also can mirror the feelings of the handler or rider and their size can help develop trust and self-confidence.
Who can apply for money?
Horse therapy providers can apply for a grant to be able to offer a 50% discount on the cost of horse therapy sessions (up to the value of £250 per child) for children/young people who:
- are aged under 18, or up to age 25 with an Education Health Care Plan (EHCP)
- live in Somerset (excludes North Somerset and BANES), east Devon or north Dorset at the date of application
- have a neurological difference such as autism or ADHD
- want to use the grant for equine therapy sessions
- are applying for up to 50% of the cost of a course of equine therapy sessions, (typically 10 sessions) and up to a maximum of £250 (please note the Fund will not support standalone riding lessons unless it is part of horse therapy)
- would struggle to afford the full cost of lessons
How much funding can I apply for?
This year we have £8,000 available, to divide between 5 horse therapy providers, to provide a geographical spread across Somerset. These organisations will have previously been the most sought after by families applying for funding and we recognise that your organisation is better equipped to know the capacity available to offer these sessions. The funding will be divided on a pro-rata basis to successful applicants, dependant on the number of eligible children/young people you think you can support over the coming 8 months.
When completing the application form please enter the amount you think you can spend over the coming 8 months, being mindful of the potential number of eligible children and your capacity to offer sessions. Please also be aware that if an award is made, it may be for a lower amount than requested.
What reporting is needed?
If awarded a grant, we ask that you:
- provide us with an interim update of how much of the grant has been spent, and how many children this has supported, by the end of February 2024.
- submit an End of Grant Report confirming how the grant was spent, giving a brief description of how each child supported by this grant has benefitted (first name only or anonymous), and provide a least one more in depth case study, where possible including a photo, by the end of June 2024.
How long does it take to get the money?
You must apply by 5pm, Friday 29 September 2023.
We’ll let you know if we can help you by the end of October 2023.
Grants are paid by bank transfer once we have received confirmation from you of grant use and that your bank details are the same as that included in the grant application.
Grants must be used by 30 June 2024.
Where does the money come from?
The Horseshoes and Handprints Fund was created using money held by the Horseshoes and Handprints Trust. That money was transferred to Somerset Community Foundation when the Trust closed in 2021. Additional donations into the Fund are occasionally received. The Trust originally supported families with children or young people with a variety of additional needs, with a focus on neurological conditions, by helping with costs towards horse therapy and this continues through the Horseshoes and Handprints Fund.
How do I apply for money?
You can apply for money by clicking on the button below to access an online application form. This application form is our standard ‘grants to groups’ form and we recognise it is not an exact fit here. Please complete the form as best you can and if you have any questions contact Kirsty on 01749 344949, ext 204 or email: Kirsty.campbell@somersetcf.org.uk
What supporting documents do I need to send with the application?
To consider your application we need to have a copy of the following:
- governing document
- list of directors/trustees if this is not available via the Charity Commission/Companies House
- safeguarding policy
- most recent accounts if not publicly available
- recent bank statement showing the statement date, account name, sort code and account number
If you have applied to us before for a grant, we may already have some of the above documents on file. If so, you do not need to re-send them.
What will we do with your application?
A member of our Grants Team will look at your application. If we have a question, then we’ll email you. If preferred, we can arrange a phone call or video call.
Applications are considered by a Grants Panel who decide whether to award a grant or not.
If you have any questions, then please get in touch with us. It’s usually best to email us on info@somersetcf.org.uk but you can also call on 01749 344949.