Pret Turbine Hall, Battersea Power Station

Ebony Horse Club is not set up as a traditional riding centre, it is a youth centre with horses. It aims to raise aspirations and improve the life skills of young people through horse management, horse riding and youth work activities. This is delivered through: • Members’ Lessons – weekly riding lessons to over 95 regulars. • Young Volunteer Programme – structured programme for 30 regular members to engage with all aspects of horse-care and employability skills. • The RIDE Programme – group riding sessions for local schools and youth groups as an introduction to horses. • Trips and Outings – day and residential trips away from London, all aimed at broadening horizons and raising aspirations. • Youth work – underpins all activities, to support and mentor young people. In an average week during term time EHC sees over 140 young people. Some of these will ride in a short term beginners’ programme but others stay with the club as regular members over the long term, taking part in structured youth development programmes, work experience placements and improving in their riding and gaining key life skills. The EHC team support members not only in the saddle but in things like: writing CVs, applying for college, referring them (of their families) to other support services. EHC is committed to reaching those young people who need us most, who are receiving little support from other services and who certainly would not be able to access horse riding elsewhere. Over 90% of our riders come from low income (£23k or less p/a household income) families and in addition to this many are facing additional challenges such as; risk of exclusion, living in low quality housing, living in poverty, have a special educational need or physical disability. We work with multiple referral agencies such as CAMHS, social services and schools who reach out to us to let us know about youngsters who might benefit from our services. The below gives a further breakdown of the demographic of our youngsters: • 90% of all youngsters from low income families. • 30% of beginner riders come to us through a referral route. • Over 75% of all youngsters are BAME. • Estimated 45% of all participants have a diagnosed special educational need or physical disability. • Over 70% of our families live in council or social housing. • Almost 50:50 ratio of boys and girls. This is important for two reasons; firstly girls are often harder to engage in sporting activities, secondly, the equestrian world is extremely female dominated and we are showing it is able to re-dress this balance. We are part of two local consortiums working together to support young people in Brixton: https://www.buildingyoungbrixton.co.uk/ and https://www.ecosystemcoldharbour.org/. Ecosystem Coldharbour is supported through the GLA Violence Reduction Unit “My Ends” Programme which has a specific focus on tackling serious Youth Violence.