“Horses change lives. They give young people confidence and self-esteem. They provide peace and tranquillity to troubled souls, they give us hope.”
Toni Robinson’s inspiring quote perfectly captures the philosophy that characterises Park Lane Stables in Teddington, a Riding for the Disabled Centre whose future is now in jeopardy.
The lease is not being renewed after May 2021 as the landlord wishes to sell the premises and so a Crowdfunding campaign has been launched to buy the place, potentially allowing the community ownership of a very important local institution.
There has been a stables on Park Lane for over two hundred years, initially for the local fire station and also the dairy - and generations of locals have learned to ride here.
Nicola Sutcliffe from the Stables says, “riding, or just being near horses, is proven to make a tangible difference to people's physical and mental wellbeing.
About 80% of our participants have disabilities, learning difficulties and mental health challenges and they rely on us as part of their therapy and respite. For many participants, coming to Park Lane is their only activity: Park Lane is their life.”
The Stables convenient central location is one of its principal assets as it’s easily accessible by public transport, thus making it infinitely easier for the less able-bodied to attend.
It is a place that clearly provides opportunities for many sectors of the local community.
Nicola explains, “we are a very inclusive centre and employ and offer work placements, apprenticeships and volunteering opportunities to people with disabilities and those from disadvantaged backgrounds to help turn their lives around and put them back on track.”
Closure would mean the horses would have to be rehomed elsewhere and, as Nicola emphasizes, “ there are hardly any riding stables left in London, so we cannot afford to lose another - deny thousands of people access to these amazing animals.”
Nicola works with Stables manager Natalie O’Rourke who has been at the helm for the past twelve years and recently won a national COVID Hero Award for work done during lockdown, bringing moments of happiness to many local people suffering in isolation.
Nicola says that in order to “ spread a little joy to those who were suffering”, a tiny pony took trips to people’s homes, schools, care homes and hospitals; they even visited a terminally ill little girl in her bed at Great Ormond Street Hospital.
And “when restrictions eased a little, we offered Wellbeing in Wellies sessions, buddy walking schemes and daily Pony Cuddles to help with people's mental wellbeing,” the range of activities on offer that she mentions clearly enhancing the welfare of so many disparate groups of people.
Teddington Society put forward an application to Richmond Council and the stables have just been granted Asset of Community Value (ACV) status, which provides the stables with extra-legal protection from development so there is even greater incentive to protect such an invaluable resource.
One of the things that have most buoyed up the team at the Stables is the outpouring of support from locals: “It is so heartwarming how the community have rallied together to support us now we have been threatened with closure… we received hundreds of letters of support and messages of thanks along with donations to keep us going through the Covid crisis.”
If the campaign is successful by its late February deadline then there will be “more free and subsidised sessions for those that need them and do not have the means to pay.
It will mean horses remaining forever in the area and access for all remaining in place… There's still a long way to go, but we are optimistic that we will save Park Lane Stables for generations to come.”
Park Lane Stables, Teddington:
To support the Crowdfunding campaign go to www.crowdfunder.co.uk/save-our-stables
