AN EQUESTRIAN centre near Auchinleck has secured a funding boost to support youngsters into employment.
Fossilfield Training Centre located at Berryhill Bing, was set up by Mercy McEwan and her husband as a social enterprise to provide training to anyone aged 12 and above who hopes to work professionally with horses – or who simply wants to gain experience working in an outdoor environment.
Having officially opened back in 2021, the centre has supported countless youngsters in gaining experience around the ex-racehorses that live at the centre.
The funding will aim to support those living in East Ayrshire who are over 16, are no longer in education, unemployed and have learning difficulties or barriers that make it difficult for them to secure work.
Referrals are made to the centre by the likes of Yipworld, SL66, the Nest Wellbeing, EAC Supported Employment and the Job Centre for a place.
Owner Mercy McEwan said: "Our rural and equine skills training, as part of this initiative, offers a unique opportunity to East Ayrshire residents to access SQA approved training and genuine work experience within these industry sectors previously only delivered by rural colleges out-with our local authority.
"The unique low sensory learning environment which we have strived to create is the real success behind the training programmes and offers a therapeutic setting where young people are encouraged to become confident, self-motivated and offered a wide range of opportunities which allows them to make informed positive choices."
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The centre also achieved Scottish Qualification Authority approval early this year, leading on from the success of the National Lottery funded community based project 'Do You Have What it Takes to Ride a Racehorse'.
This project challenged unemployed young people experiencing mental health issues to work as part of a team to care and train a team of end-of-career racehorses.
Although the centre - a not for profit social enterprise- has taken on a more longer term sustainable business plan, it has not forgotten its social roots and why it originally formed.
Now supported by a dedicated team of volunteers called 'Friends of Fossilfield', they will be responsible for the charitable objectives of the centre.
This will include the affordable riding school for local families and scholarships for economically disadvantaged young people, and community based activities for improving the health and well-being of all.
Mercy added: "Having the security of sustainable growth and the support of our charitable counterpart, the centre will now be able to offer a more broad range of experiences and with that will come more work experience placements for the young workforce and future job vacancies becoming available."
The new Friends of Fossilfield are holding a Halloween Spooky Treasure Hunt at the centre on Saturday, November 2 at 6pm with loads of fun activities, music and ghouls.
Tickets cost £5 and can be bought from the centre on 07850 227524 or via the centre's Facebook page.
Anyone wanting to find out more about becoming a Friends of Fossilfield member should email fossilfield1@outlook.com.
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