My Ride High Experience
I started at Ride High after Easter in 2016. I joined Ride High because I was suicidal. I had so much going on that I did not know how to deal with, I was depressed and not doing anything.
When my counsellor referred me to Ride High, I was a bit sceptical about it. The first time I went to Ride High, I was scared but I was open to anything because I needed help. I was a bit scared of the horses, but I tried. At the end of the session, I was able to get on the horse and walk around.
After being able to get on the horse, I felt free, confident, and good that I could do it. I looked forward to it every week. My favourite thing is riding the horse, they are individuals and you have to get to know them like you would with people. I love going on trips. We went on a residential trip to the Fortune centre in the New Forest. It was great. I learned to look after horses, muck out, and grooming. It has helped me work with different horses. I thought I wanted to become a horse trainer, but now I really want to work to help people the way the horses have helped me, so I want to be a social worker.
When I was at Ride High I had the opportunity to do some work experience for a week. It was a great learning experience for me; I learnt a lot and it has helped me with my CV.
In January I got the opportunity to attend the Ride High fundraising ball which was really great. I met with so many people and talked to them about Ride High. At the end of the night we presented the collage me and other members of Ride High painted. It sold for over £2,000 which was fantastic.
Ride High has changed my life in so many ways. It has given me opportunity. Before I came to Ride High I did not have hope for the future, was not mixing with friends or doing anything. The clubroom helped me open up and think more about my future. It helped me realise what I want to do. I have started to develop confidence and have gone to college and met new people.
If I did not go to Ride High, I would still be depressed, would not be motivated to try to think about my future. I would not have gone to college and made friends because I would not have the confidence.
After my time at Ride High has finished I decided to become a volunteer because I enjoy being around the horses. I want to help others to have the experience that I have had there. I want to meet new people and help them through their problems. I like to hear the children talk about Ride High and how it has helped them, see them happy, and excited to be with the horses makes me happy.
