all about stepney
Stepney Bank Stables, Newcastle’s Inner City Community Horse Project is unique. Opened in 1992 we are the only such project in the country. The Stables started with only 2 donkeys and now has space for 27 horses and ponies and over 400 regular users.
Originally established in 1992 by the City Farm Byker we became an independent organisation in 1999 and a registered charitable company shortly afterwards.
The aim of the Project is to use the horse as a tool, to motivate, educate and pass on key social skills. Despite being a strange concept this has proven an effective, long term method of reaching disadvantaged and hard to reach groups. Through doing this we have enabled many individuals from deprived backgrounds to develop new interests and gain self-esteem to a level where they can seek further training or employment.
In 2001 the Stables successfully raised £914,000 to build an additional indoor arena. This was provided by Sport England, The Ouseburn Partnership and the City Council. To do this we had to demonstrate the demand and need for a much bigger project. This was made possible by the tremendous commitment from all our users, volunteers and parents who were determined to see the project grow.
Since opening in September 2002 the new centre has been extremely well used. It has enabled us to increase capacity and provide a more consistent programme as we are no longer subject to seasonal weather changes. This has meant that we can appeal to new audiences,(e.g. those with mobility problems that would get too cold or wet riding outside, or, schools who need to plan their curriculum around activities that won’t be cancelled as a result of inclement weather), alongside developing new ventures made possible in our new purpose built facility. Overall it is vitally important to us that the majority of new users continue to come from disadvantaged and hard to reach groups.
The Stables has managed to grow and survive despite never having had any long term core funding until February 2004! Our survival has depended upon income from rides, and the generosity of the public and local grant givers and charitable trusts. Without this, and the commitment and support of our volunteers, Stepney Bank Stables would have ceased to exist.
The challenge is now to maximise our potential for income generation to ensure that we can respond to the increased demands of the new centre and work towards a position whereby we can cover the cost of all core expenditure. The committee is currently reviewing options how the new building can contribute to this. E.g. developing the café, providing vending machines, sub-letting office space or meeting room hire. This has been made easier by a further £400,000 grant from European Regional Development Fund and £50,000 from the Heritage Lottery.