Help us Build a Therapeutic Riding Sensory trail
Donation protected
Together We Can!
Hi, my name is Natalie Carey. I operate the Better Together Therapy Riding Centre in Castletown Geoghegan, Westmeath, Ireland. We are located near beautiful Lough Ennell outside the town of Mullingar. In addition to private students, we primarily serve local schools and day programs for children and adults with autism, intellectual disabilities, or complex disabilities.
Hi, my name is Natalie Carey. I operate the Better Together Therapy Riding Centre in Castletown Geoghegan, Westmeath, Ireland. We are located near beautiful Lough Ennell outside the town of Mullingar. In addition to private students, we primarily serve local schools and day programs for children and adults with autism, intellectual disabilities, or complex disabilities.
Creating a Sensory Trail behind the arena at the Better Together Therapy Riding Centre will help us better serve our current students and welcome new groups from the community. Since we opened one year ago, there has been an overwhelming response. Building this trail will provide additional activity space to better accommodate these groups and enhance the experience for current students.
What is a Sensory Trail?
A Sensory Trail addresses motor planning skills and various senses from travelling on (or leading) a pony along a trek that provides new arrays of therapeutic activity opportunities by combining colours, textures and scents of nature with sensory games. Along the Sensory Trail will be strategically planted flowers, trees, and sensory-rich stations that nurture engagement, thinking and communication. The goal is to improve motor planning and foster meaningful and fun responses to help students behave more functionally every day.
What will the funds cover?
The funds will help pay for the cost of grading, paving, landscaping, and materials for sensory stations along a half kilometre trek. Any additional funds will be used for maintenance.
The trail's surface is built to withstand any weather conditions for use all year round. It has a gravel surface enabling those with reduced mobility to also access the trail on foot. The addition of specific sensory experiences will target more engagement through all the senses. These experiences need to be permanent installations requiring minimal maintenance and durable enough to last.
Thank you!
Thank you!
Organizer
Natalie Carey
Organizer
County Westmeath