SOS - Save Our Stables

Who are we?

Stepney Bank Stables (SBS) is the only charity in Newcastle that uses horses to engage with disadvantaged young people. We provide a unique opportunity where young people across Newcastle can access the therapeutic benefits of working alongside horses whilst developing vital skills and making positive connections with their peers. SBS is the first accredited Happy Brain centre in the UK and as part of our work, we deliver Happy Brain sessions which are designed to give young people the tools to build a happier, more rewarding life with integrity, purpose and self-adjustment.

Our Community Impact

Each year we engage with 1,200 young people living in some of the most deprived areas of Newcastle such as Walker, Shielfield and Byker. Many of the young people we support face huge challenges including difficulties engaging with mainstream education, a lack of free extracurricular activities as well as poor mental and physical health outcomes. Our experienced team of youth workers deliver a range of horse- based activities which are designed to boost self- esteem so young people have the confidence to work towards their goals and access new education, employment or volunteering opportunities.

Disadvantaged young people in Newcastle face huge challenges, including:

- Difficulties engaging with mainstream education, which can result in a lack of self- esteem and belief in their ability to succeed

- Mental health challenges such as anxiety and depression as well as loneliness and social isolation. Evidence from the National Institute of Health highlights the rise in the amount of young people experiencing clinical depression, anxiety and loneliness across the UK. These concerns have been echoed by the young people we work with at SBS and our partner organisations across the North East.

- Lack of physical activity and few opportunities to access free extracurricular activities which leads to poor physical health

- Living in areas with high levels of poverty: Evidence from the North East Child Poverty Commission shows that more than one in three children in Newcastle are living below the poverty line.

Our key achievements

Each year we support over 1,200 disadvantaged young people across Newcastle.

We deliver a free equestrian program at our stables in the centre of Newcastle for children and young people aged 8- 18. We also deliver a range of outreach services in partnership with local charities across the North East.

As the only charity in Newcastle that provides an opportunity to work alongside horses, we continue to experience high demand for our services. For example, we often have a waiting list of over 100 young people.

With over 20 years of experience, we are experts in delivering targeted interventions for young people across Newcastle. Our unique horse- based model is proven to be effective and has had a transformational impact on the lives of many young people. The outcomes we aim to achieve for all of the young people we support are:

- Increased physical activity, resulting in improved physical health and mental wellbeing

- Cultivating a sense of responsibility in the young people we work with, helping them to feel part of their community and connect with others who live locally

- Development of vital transferrable skills such as teamwork, communication, leadership and time management

- Enhanced engagement in education, training and work opportunities at SBS and beyond 

- Improved confidence and self- esteem to help young people reach their full potential and achieve their goals

Last year our young people contributed over 10,000 hours of volunteering time, 133 young volunteers attended each week and we worked with 86 new junior volunteers (aged 8 -11) and 156 new young volunteers (aged 12-18).

In 2023, we provided 280 free riding lessons, six new peer mentors were trained, 45 holiday activity fund spaces were offered to children on free school meals and five young people started training for their British Horse Society stage one exam.

Why we are crowdfunding

We write with a growing sense of urgency regarding the future of Stepney Bank Stables, a vital community resource that is facing an unprecedented crisis. Our beloved stables, which have served as a sanctuary for both young people and horses alike, are currently in peril due to a perfect storm of financial challenges.

In recent months, Stepney Bank Stables has experienced a drastic rise in operational costs alongside reducing income. These circumstances have placed an immense strain on our ability to continue providing essential services to local young people. As a result, we are now at a critical juncture where we urgently need your support to ensure our survival.

The rising costs of hay, feed, veterinary care, and essential supplies have stretched our budget to its limits. Meanwhile, the COVID-19 pandemic and recent cost of living crisis has led to a marked decline in revenue from riding lessons, corporate support and individual giving leaving us in a precarious financial position.

Without immediate intervention, Stepney Bank Stables faces the heartbreaking possibility of scaling back or ceasing operations altogether. This would not only deprive our community of a valued youth programme but also jeopardise the welfare of the horses who rely on us for care and shelter.

 But there is hope, and that hope lies with compassionate individuals like you. Your generosity can make a tangible difference in our ability to weather this storm and emerge stronger on the other side as we work to review our current model and make adaptations to make us more sustainable into the future. 

How we'll spend the money raised

Your donation, no matter the size, will directly support the following critical needs:

•  Covering essential operating expenses: Your contribution will help us meet the spiralling costs of providing an inner-city grass roots riding centre 
• Supporting our outreach programmes: By supporting Stepney Bank Stables, you enable us to continue offering therapeutic riding sessions and educational initiatives that are benefiting a generation of disadvantaged young people with higher than ever mental health needs.
•  Ensuring the welfare of our horses: Your donation will directly contribute to the health and well-being of our much loved horses and ponies, ensuring they receive the care and attention they deserve.
• Sustaining our community impact: Your support will enable us to maintain our role as a vital community resource, providing a safe haven and nurturing environment for young people to connect with horses and each other.

 Now more than ever, we need your help to keep the spirit of Stepney Bank Stables alive. 

 Please consider making a donation today and sharing our appeal with your friends, family, and colleagues. Together, we can ensure that Stepney Bank Stables continues to serve as a beacon of hope and healing for generations to come.

How you can play your part  -There are four simple ways to help us reach our target, and make this project a reality. 

1. Make a pledge. Don’t delay if you’re going to support us because momentum is key to our success!

2. Spread the word. Share our project on your social media pages and tell the world to get behind us! The more people we reach, the more support we will get.

3. Offer rewards. Get involved if you are a local business by donating things we can offer to our supporters. We will give you a shout out!

4. If you want to run your own fundraiser to support us, maybe a sponsored activity or similar, use the 'contact project' button at the top of our page to let us know. Setting up your own page only takes a few minutes and you won’t need any bank details. Just a fun idea!

 Thank you for your unwavering support and dedication to our cause. Together, we will overcome this crisis and emerge stronger than ever before.