Stable Life - Save Our School!

About Us

Stable Life supports disadvantaged young people and their families who live in the Scottish Borders and who are experiencing personal challenges. Based at Dryden Farm, Ashkirk we utilise Equine Assisted Learning (EAL), where working together, using the horse and its environment, we create the opportunity for young people to discover a sense of self, build resilience and learn transferable life skills. In doing so we empower our young people to look forward to a happy and healthy future where their contributions will be valued and their dreams and aspirations achieved.

Our overarching aim is to “work together to make a difference” We offer a calm, safe and caring environment where young people feel able to engage and share. We build trusting and respectful relationships so young people are better able to reflect on their current situation and develop positive coping strategies.

The difference we make

For some extremely vulnerable young people, working with the horse is the only motivating factor in their life and therefore is the only effective vehicle on which to build a more positive future. Over the last 5 years we have engaged with over 450 young people and we can say that:

Feedback we receive also evidences the difference we can make:

"Thank you so very much, you have completely turned her around, it is fantastic the work you do."

“H has found a renewed confidence since attending Stable Life, she has thrived, her life had become so difficult with so much confusion, pain and anger, she was lost”

"Stable Life is the best thing I have ever done"

Our Problem

The delivery of our service is heavily dependent on our Indoor Riding School. The building is over 40 years old and is in need of an essential renovation.

The structure needs to be strengthened to make it wind and water tight, the roof and windows leak and urgently need to be replaced; the building is currently dark, damp and cold. We are very worried that if the building is left to deteriorate further we will not be able to support the vulnerable young people referred to us. 

Also, the charity relies on the income generated by commercial clients who use the school. Without this income the service provided by the charity will have to be reduced.

A weather tight, warm and bright indoor school will ensure a more positive experience for our young people. It will help sustain the charity and the invaluable service it provides for vulnerable young people and their families now and in the future.

You can help us

Over the last year we have set up a project group and have drawn up plans for the school and been busy fundraising. We have secured around 90% our costs and are looking to raise the final 10% required through this crowdfunder.

Your pledge will help us to do this and will allow us to commence the build in August 2019 with a completion date of around 6 weeks. Giving us a fantastic new Indoor Riding School that thousands of young people can benefit from for many years to come.

You can help make changes for other vulnerable young people by pledging to our Crowdfunder and enabling us to be able to continue to deliver our much needed services.

Thank You