I had never
seen myself as a "Horsie” type person – that soon changed! …there was
always something to do, it never felt pressured and at no time did I feel I was
being forced to do anything, there was good choice and support, and the whole
group seemed to move towards the things that interested them.
~ CP, Somerset –
via Combat Stress
...it's helped to show me that I
need to find a way forward with work that is more outside based, rather than
office based (which never for me works out). My background is ex Army with PTSD
and Depression and all in all I think the day has shown me that I would like to
return in the future , spend more time with the Horses – Tina is amazing and
her experience makes you just want to spend more time with the animals.
~ CP,
Somerset – via Combat Stress
I too
would like to send all my thanks for the most fascinating and insightful two
days with such a wonderful collection of very special people and and very
special horses. And a huge thanks to Pen for providing the most heavenly,
tranquil idyll and scrummy food. Thank you,
~ Anon
They
are a lovely, understanding couple with whom I feel really at home with. They
care about individuals, and they go at your speed & pace, there is never
any pressure.
~ Anon
Thank
you very much for the taster day on Monday, we all enjoyed ourselves and I
think you and Jon and the team offer a fantastic service.
~ EG - via Combat Stress
I just
wanted to say what an achievement you have allowed us/me to be a part of this
w/end, I never thought I would have learnt so much, and in knowing I no longer
felt alone or excluded, …..the staff at Hush farms have a really useful
knowledge, and within the usage of farm life give the analogies metaphors for
service PTSD, they are all so very highly respected.
~ Anon
First of all I wanted to send you a BIG
THANK YOU for your hospitality and affords for the past event... We had a
great day with you. The group [...] that I took with me (my clients) were full of
gratitude by the end of the day. They enjoyed the activities and engagement
with others. I was very glad to receive even more feedback about their
wellbeing a week later when some of them reported sleeping very well after
engaging with nature (green therapies) and gaining sense of connection and joy
after --working with the horses (animal
therapy).
~ SB, NHS
Many
thanks for your continued generous support and time you offer to veterans.
It was interesting to see a
couple of veterans who had been highly anxious get so much out of the day.
Neither had felt able to attend a local group but were able to cope with the
open air environment and gradually become more engaged in activities and other
members of the group. One said it was the first time he had laughed for over a
year. He intends to take up some of the activities he experienced on the day
and has made arrangements to meet up with some of the veterans he met on the
day.
From a clinical point of view, it
offers an ideal opportunity to gauge their mental health and abilities in a
non-clinic environment and to then build on their strengths as they work
towards recovery.
~ LW, NHS
Feedback
from the joint Carers' day that we shared with my colleague from Cornwall:
For
some women it was the first time for many years that they had done something
just for themselves and they found some of the activities very empowering. One
said that it had helped her feel more able to express ambivalence without
feeling guilty and some drew parallels between the horse behaviour and their
experiences. Please convey our thanks to the
whole team.
~ LW, NHS
Just received a phone call to say that one
of the veterans who has been a recluse for years(!) is now, since visiting Hush
Farms, going out into town on his own, and has volunteered to help with a
community based organisation (repairing bicycles for anyone who needs to get
out and about) and has bought a pair of wellies – and it’s all down to the
horses / Tina!!!
He’s always enjoyed being with horses and his time with them
last week gave him confidence, as well as the best night’s sleep he can
remember.
~ Anon
Rob said that he'd had the best sleep
he'd had in months.
~ RP, Somerset
...thank you to you all for a fabulous day and such warm
welcome.It was great for me to see the lads as a group and
enjoying the banter which is so important for them, I could see the confidence
growing within the group. The atmosphere and the feel to the day was a real
experience for me too, as was meeting Sam & Mickey ( & of course Tina
who is a delight.)
As for improvements, I can’t see how you could, it was a
perfect day & your hospitality & organisation would be very hard to
improve.
Many thanks, Penny, Jon & team.
~ AR, RBL
Find us on Facebook
Follow us on Twitter