Welcome to Paddock Ponies CIC

Each person we work with accesses a bespoke service in a respectful and person-centred way. See services for more details of each service. The animals help us notice and reflect on interactions, self and others and help us learn about ourselves in a low-demand way. We help individuals achieve increased confidence, increased feelings of safety and capability, a stronger sense of self. Being around the animals on site and in nature is therapeutic and can help support transitions, challenge or reduce overwhelm through co-regulation.

We are a team of horses (Bandit, Jasper and Peanut), sheep (Festella and Lenny), Ronnie the cat and Charlotte the human facilitator. Everyone has been carefully selected to be gently invited to participate in sessions to share with us insights into our own ways of being. Charlotte is qualified in counselling skills and the HERD modality, which centres around working relationally. It respects the lived experiences of others and provides that safe space to learn and grow. Charlotte is currently in training to become a qualified registered psychotherapeutic counsellor and will be able to offer counselling sessions in the near future. We follow the BACP ethical framework and Charlotte is currently a member of The HERD Institute and a student member of the professional body BACP. Charlotte has worked with young people for several years and in 2024 started the non-profit Paddock Ponies CIC. We have 6 directors,each with their own skills set they bring to steer and support the CIC as it grows.

Young People aged 8 + and adults can find themselves in a challenging time in their life where they need a safe and supportive environment to just be themselves with no judgment. Therapies are not for everyone, nor are they immediately accessible for some. We work with everyone who will benefit from the service and we also work with people who are diagnosed/undiagnosed Autistic, have ADHD/ADD, PDA, social anxiety and/or sensory preferences. We strive for anti-ableist working and work on full inclusivity within sessions.