Small Strides CIC

29/08/2025

🌿 Small Strides is excited to announce that Jenny is now welcoming new clients for Equine-Facilitated Psychotherapy, Walk & Talk Therapy, and room-based counselling/therapy 🐴

✨ Spaces open from September – limited Tuesdays & Wednesdays!

💌 Accepting private referrals and EHCP/EOTAS referrals

Discover a unique blend of talk therapy + somatic, body-based approaches with the healing presence of horses in nature.

Specializing in:

✨️Complex Trauma & PTSD

✨️Neurodivergent children and adults

✨️Grief & Loss

✨️School based anxiety and young people challenges

✨️ Anxiety and Depression

✨️Identity & Self-Esteem Challenges

✨️General Mental Health Support

Jenny has a core foundation in Person-Centred Therapy, EFT & Matrix Reimprinting and Integrates the principles of Equine Facilitated Therapy models Equusoma & Natural Lifemanship, helping you:

🌱 Regulate your nervous system
🌱 Heal stored trauma
🌱 Build emotional resilience
🌱 Reclaim identity & self-worth
🌱 Connect in new, embodied ways

Horses are partners, not tools, offering safety, connection, and deep insight into how we relate to ourselves and others.

📩 Free 15-minute consultation available. Limited spaces get in touch to start your journey.

26/08/2025

Such a beautiful thank you card from a young lady I have been working with.

We will call her Michelle for social media purposes.

Michelle started sessions around a year ago, she had at that time just been discharged from hospital submission, was in recovery from an eating disorder and was not in a place to attend further education.

Michelle attended weekly sessions starting with our Big Steps Foundation Program designed to help children who are struggling in educational settings to help improve mental, emotional and physical well-being.

This program helped Michelle build her confidence and self-esteem to be in a better place to work on her past trauma that was having an effect on her current life.

We worked through the Find Your Sparkle Program aimed at helping teens and young adult girls develop a deeper sense of self-love, self-worth and self-belief. The changes during this time were so powerful and Michelle continued to grow.

Michelle moved onto the Connected Horsemanship program helping her to build more connected relationships with herself and others. During this program she learnt in more depth about connection, communication and boundaries within relationships and how the relationship we have with ourselves affects all other relationships in our life.

Michelle is now a more confident young lady and believes in herself more She has increased social interactions with improved self-esteem and has now enrolled in college to do her A Levels in Psychology, Sociology and Biology.

I can't wait to hear what the future holds for you.

Michelle will be continuing with us ADHOC volunteering during the holidays.

26/08/2025

As we begin a new school year, we’d love to take a moment to tell you a little about Small Strides and the support we offer for children and young people.

We’re proud to be a licensed Alternative Provision for both BANES and Wiltshire local authorities, and we’re also registered on the UK Providers Reference List.

🌱 So, what does that mean for families?

Alternative Provision is here for children who, for lots of different reasons, such as illness, challenges at school, or needing a different kind of environment, may not be able to access education in the usual way. It’s about making sure every child has the chance to learn, grow, and feel supported.

At Small Strides, we work closely with local authorities and are regularly inspected to make sure the care and education we provide meet the highest standards.

Most importantly, we put the well-being of each child at the heart of everything we do.

If you’d like to know more about how we can support your child, please don’t hesitate to get in touch with Jenny at [email protected] 💌

25/08/2025

23/08/2025

13/08/2025

✨ A Beautiful Day of Learning with Horses ✨

Today was a lovely day spent at Small Strides CIC as we explored Module 4 & 5 of our Equine Facilitated Learning Diploma.

We immersed ourselves in embodied learning, feeling, noticing, and responding to the subtle language of horses. Learners experienced the power of intention, the importance of clear boundaries, and the magic of being attuned to another being’s needs.

Through hands-on exercises, we discovered how horses respond to our energy and presence, showing us how self-awareness is at the heart of every authentic partnership.

We talked about and practised having meaningful, non-verbal “conversations” with our equine partners. When we approach with clarity, respect, and openness, the relationship becomes a mutual dance of trust and understanding.

These skills aren’t just for the arena, they are life skills for building stronger, kinder, and more conscious connections in every part of our lives. 💛🐴

These modules will soon be available to attend as CPD training for practioners and therapists wanting to explore the Small Strides model of Equine Facilitated Learning.

12/08/2025

🌿 Exciting News! Our Therapeutic Garden Project is Starting This September! 🌿

Join us every Monday evening from 4:00 PM to 5:30 PM for a special after-school program designed just for children aged 7-11 years.

This inclusive garden space is especially welcoming for neurodivergent children and those with SEN and will run in blocks of 6 weeks

In our garden, kids will get hands-on experience planting, growing, and harvesting vegetables while enjoying the calming benefits of nature.

Gardening is not only fun, it helps improve focus, builds confidence, supports sensory regulation, and encourages social connection.

Our sessions also include therapeutic regulation practices designed to help children feel grounded, balanced, and emotionally supported in a safe, nurturing environment.

🌱 What your child will gain:

👨‍🌾 Hands-on learning and life skills through gardening

👩‍🌾Opportunities to connect with peers in an accepting space

😌 Calming sensory experiences and mindful movement

😁 Increased confidence and emotional wellbeing

Spaces are limited ..get ready to grow, explore, and thrive with us this September!

Email me if you would like to be added to the waiting list more information coming soon.

11/08/2025

WHATS NEW STARTING SEPTEMBER

INTRODUCTORY OFFER ON £350

🌟 Does your child love horses or would they love the chance to get to know them better? 🌟

We’re excited to offer a 6-week Therapeutic and Social Skills Course designed especially for children between 8 - 12.

We specialise in working with neurodivergent and SEN children.

This is more than just horse care, it’s a unique, enriching experience that blends learning, fun, and personal growth in a gentle, supportive setting.

🐴 What will they do?
Your child will learn essential horse care skills, including:

Staying safe around horses

Feeding and grooming

Stable care and management

Recognising horse colours and markings

How to lead a horse confidently

🤝 What else will they gain?
Alongside learning to care for our horses, children will also:

Build social confidence in small, friendly groups

Learn teamwork and communication through group activities

Develop emotional regulation and mindfulness skills

Enjoy time in nature, supporting overall wellbeing

🎖️ At the end of the course, each child receives a certificate and rosette to celebrate their achievements!

🗓️ Course details:

When: Wednesdays, 12.30pm–2pm

Next course starting SEPTEMBER 24th
(weekly for 6 weeks)

Where: Our peaceful Therapeutic Horsemanship Centre, nestled in the beautiful South Cotswolds between Bristol and Bath

Usual Cost: £400

Must be paid in full or installment place.

£50 deposit secures your space.

📧 Ready to book?
Spaces are limited, so please get in touch with Jenny at [email protected] to reserve your place or ask any questions.

Come join us, where little strides lead to big growth. 💫

07/08/2025

Emotions/Emotion Regulation.
Emotions are crucial in navigating everyday life. Many of life's problems can be solved by better emotional awareness.

"I need a drink after that"
"The day I've had.."
"She made me so angry"
"He had such road rage .."
"It's like treading on eggshells coming home from
school/college/work''...

Emotional awareness is key to emotion regulation. Then not needing to change the way we feel with anger outbursts, unhealthy lifestyle choices :drink, drugs, feeding our feelings, overeating, spending, shopping, gambling, other forms of self harm.

We know that we need the so called ' negative emotions' as much as the feel good 'positive emotions'.
If we've never experienced sadness then we wouldn't know joy.[ ie :the movie Inside Out and its sequel].
Yet still we go about our day, or many of us do - blaming external issues for rising levels of stress, overwhelm, reactivity.