REACH - Rehabilitation, Education, Assessment Centre for Hippotherapy is a registered Charity with Charity Number: 1158714.
The Mission
Hippotherapy (Hippos is horse in Greek) is a specialist physiotherapy intervention that uses the 3 dimensional movement of the horse in walk to correct and improve movement, balance, core strength, in the person on the horse. It has been shown to benefit children with cerebral palsy, multiple sclerosis, brain and spinal cord injuries and many other people with movement disorders. Research has shown that the functional ability of these people improves following a course of Hippotherapy and can be maintained over a follow up period. Children with autism and other learning disabilities have also benefitted from this form of therapy.
Our mission is to provide high quality assessment and rehabilitation programmes using the horse to provide a treatment strategy for adults and children with physical, mental, social and learning disabilities and as such allow more people to benefit from Hippotherapy and associated services.
Hippotherapy is a relatively new therapy in the United Kingdom and there are only around 20 physiotherapists who are qualified to practise. There is a particular shortage of these specially trained physiotherapists in the South East and REACH helps to address this shortage.
Value Statement
We want people to come for regular visits to REACH. We want the centre to have a professional whilst friendly feel to encourage on-going family involvement rather than the feeling of a medical intervention. We also offer other services to allow clients to visit and partake in off horse activities. For example, pony petting sessions where children and young adults can visit, share an experience with the ponies and have a chance for social interaction.
Our Team
All staff and Volunteers at REACH will have the necessary qualification, training and are CRB/DBS checked to provide the range of services.
The centre is run by the Chief Executive and clinical Lead Louise Barrett (BSc Hons, MCSP, HPC Reg). Louise is a Physiotherapist trained in Hippotherapy and Equine Rehabilitation. She has a vast knowledge and experience of horses and qualifications in horse care. She has a great commitment to showing how these animals can truly help people who have special needs. Louise has achieved her UK CC coaching qualification in association with the RDA.
REACH has been set up as a Charitable Incorporated Organisation (CIO).Our current Trustees are:
- Lisa Bailey - Acting Chair Person
- Fleur Mitchell - Secretary
- Yifei He - Treasurer
- Amy Northwood
- Kelly James
- Pat Glover
Our sessions are staffed by volunteers supportingthe Hippotherapist, and fees charged go towards our running costs. We undertake a lot of fundraising and grant applications to enable us to provide our service.