Five children from Cambridgeshire are the first to graduate from a pilot ‘horse-whispering’ programme designed to support young victims of crime.
The Equine Assisted Therapy programme has been delivered by children’s charity Embrace Child Victims of Crime (CVoC) as part of a range of services commissioned by the Office of the Police and Crime Commissioner.
Embrace CVoC is the only children’s charity in the country solely focused on providing care and support for children who have been victims of crime, offering counselling, practical and cheer-up support.
The charity’s first equine therapy programme took place during the course of the summer and gave the group of five children, aged between 10 and 16, the chance to use horse-based therapy to help them heal.
Police and Crime Commissioner (PCC) Jason Ablewhite attended the riding school, based near Ely, to hand out certificates and rosettes to the young graduates.
“I am extremely pleased that we have been able to fund this innovative programme which offers support to these young victims of crime,” he said.
“Practical help such as this enables the most vulnerable residents of our county to concentrate on recovering from their experiences and moving on to a more positive future. It is vital that young victims are wrapped in a blanket of care, to ensure they get the support they need to once again feel safer in their homes.”
