Royal visitor sees how lottery money is spent
The school for children and adults with autism was awarded £60,000 by the grants programme, which is run by the Big Lottery Fund and, as a result, has set up the Animal Assisted Therapy.
Several years ago the school introduced working with animals as part of its therapeutic support and as a means of broadening the vocational opportunities for the pupils.
Through the Jubilee People’s Millions award this has been enhanced by permanent stabling, small paddocks to enable more therapeutic work to take place, a nature trail with native trees and shrubs to attract insects and birds, a wormery selling worms to local fishermen and other projects to support the curriculum.
Pupils care for the animals as part of their vocational work on site. and staff, working with speech and language therapists and the occupational therapists, said that they had seen progress in some of the young pupils’ levels of communication, and an increase in physical mobility and dexterity.
The school also aims to share the benefits of the project with other children with autism in the region.
Countryside learning instructor at the Hermitage school, Diana Deacon, said that she was keen for this to happen.
She said: “We have seen such significant progress for our students in so many areas – from communication and social skills to independent working while undertaking animal husbandry tasks.
“There are so many benefits in being able to work outdoors and with the animals.
“It provides opportunities for vocational work, and the physical exercise involved helps to reduce anxiety and improve sleep patterns, which a key factor for many of our students.
“As we have been lucky enough to win we would like to share these facilities with other young people with autism in the local region.”
She added: “There has been an incredible effect on the children.
“The royal visit has been very important to us.”
As part of the visit, the countess was introduced to parents, staff and trustees, observed and met pupils working the animals, and helped to plant a shrub in the butterfly garden with 19-year-old pupil Sonny Carroll.