Celebrate 25 Years of Stepney Bank Stables
In this month's look at the inspirational work of charities across the region, Living North celebrates 25 years of Stepney Bank Stables
Sara Newson has been centre manager for just over three years, but Stepney Bank Stables has been a big part of her life since she was 10. ‘I found out that there were ponies locally on a family visit to what was then Byker Farm,’ she says. ‘My mam booked me a lesson on a beautiful brown and white pony called Judy (I think it cost £2!) and I was hooked.’ After spending her teenage years helping out at the stables, Sara studied horses before returning to work at Stepney in her early 20s. ‘I experimented with other careers including youth work and management roles in other charities, but nothing grabbed my heart quite like Stepney Bank Stables,’ she says. ‘My role here is varied and includes everything from early feeds and mucking out to managing the budgets, creating social media content, managing the staff team and contributing to the creation of a warm, welcoming and safe environment for young people.’
Stepney Bank Stables grew out of an idea from young people who were attending Byker Farm in the early 1990s. ‘They campaigned for a riding project and successfully applied for funding that enabled them to visit other stables around the country to find out how it could be done,’ says Sara. ‘A pony was procured along with two donkeys and a project was born. There was significant interest and it was quickly apparent that more ponies were needed. There was an old, unused stable yard further up Stepney Bank, past garages and scrap yards, which was leased from Newcastle City Council on a peppercorn rent, enabling additional ponies to be purchased. After several years the stables was a thriving hub for children, young people and families and further expansion was necessary. In 2000 a warehouse at the bottom of Stepney Bank was converted into an indoor riding arena with additional stabling thanks to funding from Sport England.’
The project grew so much it split off from the farm and Stepney Bank Stables became a separate registered charity in 2001. Since then, thousands of young people have passed through the doors, finding comfort and joy in the presence of horses. Stepney Bank Stables provides life-changing opportunities for young people who are struggling with the impact and intersections of poverty, mental health struggles and neurodivergence.
‘We provide a safe, supportive and consistent environment, providing somewhere to go, something to do and supportive adult role models to speak to 363 days per year,’ Sara adds. ‘Whilst horses are the “hook” that get young people through the door, once engaged there is a whole world of other opportunities including accredited training, trips, residentials and social activities all designed to build confidence, self-esteem and engagement with learning. We run an incredibly successful alternative provision program for young people for whom traditional education is not the right fit. We also have a youth offer for eight to 18-year-olds outside of school hours, enabling young people to attend as volunteers. Through volunteering they gain real life work experience and can earn credit towards riding lessons, creating affordable pathways for young people who otherwise wouldn’t have access to equestrian sports.’
Young people gain confidence and make friends – some young people who struggle to relate to other humans find it easier to connect to a horse. ‘Once they are confident communicating with the horses they can build on that with other young people and connect through a shared passion,’ explains Sara. ‘We love keeping in touch with young people as they transition into adulthood and hearing about the enduring friendships formed at Stepney. Volunteering is also a great way to increase physical activity levels, gain experience, learn new skills and meet new people.
'Many of the young people who attend have struggled to find a place where they fit in. At Stepney they find their place and their people and can really be themselves'
‘Horses are an incredible calm, non-judgemental presence. They’re so big yet so gentle and patient. Being around them has a profound effect on many people. Studies show that being with horses lowers cortisol levels and boosts dopamine levels so there’s real chemistry at work. Many of the young people who attend have struggled to find a place where they fit in. At Stepney they find their place and their people and can really be themselves, sometimes for the first time in their lives.’
This year marks 25 years of operating as an independent charity and Sara is proud of what’s been achieved. ‘Former attendees have got in touch to share their stories,’ says Sara, ‘and the ripple effects are just incredible – former attendees who’ve gone on to be physiotherapists and incorporate horses into their physio work (hippotherapy), attendees who’ve gone on to run Riding for the Disabled Centres, joined the Household Cavalry or are using the risk management and communication skills gained as mid-wives, paramedics or teachers. Horses are fabulous teachers of kindness, empathy and responsibility; there’s certainly a need for more of that in the world!’
The charity celebrated its birthday with an open day in January, and also held an event welcoming back former attendees who’ve gone on to success in the equestrian world, including patron Adam Short who is Head Groom to Olympian Tom McEwan, and international event rider Jack Mantel, a familiar face from CBBC’s The Stables which documented Stepney Bank Stables in the early 2000s.
‘Later this year we’re collaborating with Ouseburn Trust and Ouseburn Farm who also celebrate milestones this year so there will be plenty of opportunities to get involved in the celebrations,’ says Sara. ‘We very much hope to continue to offer life changing experiences to young people for the next 50 years. We’re currently evolving our horse welfare practices and are part of an innovative pilot project through the Association of British Riding Schools which aims to improve the lived experience of riding school horses. These changes include moving more towards small group housing for our horses and ponies, increased enrichment activities and developing the consistency of our communications with our horses to improve clarity and understanding.
‘We’re also ensuring we meet the changing needs of young people with an active Youth Committee who steer the provision and keep us on track, and we’ve recently acquired a mechanical horse which is a fantastic coaching resource and is really helping us to develop riders effectively and ethically.’
