Bodster Equine Assisted Learning C.I.C.
Sandford Farm, Gore Lane, Shanklin Road, Sandford, Godshill. PO38 3EX
Contact: Jo and Giles Boddington
Telephone: 0788 7876138
Email:
Website: www.eaqbodster.co.uk
About Bodster EAQ Approved Equine Assisted Learning CIC
Bodster Equine Assisted Learning CIC is an award winning centre which was set up on the Isle of Wight by Jo and Giles Boddington in September 2011. They have four ponies and one horse and have recently moved so that their herd now lives out 24:7. There is a mobile home which acts as an office and classroom for learners and an indoor barn which can be used for sessions if the weather is inclement.
Bodster offers sessions where people can develop self-confidence and explore communication skills through interaction on the ground with ponies. There is no riding involved.
Sessions with the ponies help learners to understand how ponies communicate with each other and learners also develop key skills such as english and maths. They are able to develop soft skills such as problem solving, team work, self-awareness and self-esteem in a calm and unique setting.
Bodster works with a variety of learners, some through local schools, individual referrals, older learners and some learners through the 'Short Breaks' system on the Island.
The youngest learning is aged just 5 years years old and the oldest at present is 89 years old.
Jo Boddington is an EAQ Certified Facilitator and runs the centre with her husband, Giles Boddington. Jo trained in 2011 and has achieved her Level 3 EAQ Facilitator qualification and has her BA (Hons), PGCE, Registered BHSAI, NVQ Level 1+ 2 in Horse Care Assessor, NVQ Level 3 Health and Social Care and First Aid at Work. Giles holds the Professional Certificate in Education, NVQ Level 3 Health and Social Care, ASET Level 2 Certificate in Health & Safety in the Workplace, First Aid at Work and is an assistant equine assisted learning facilitator.
Specialisms:
- children and adults
- out of school tuition for young people
- elderly
- people with dementia
- mental ill-health
- depression
- adult learners
- and also people wanting to know about how to communicate with horses using natural horsemanship.
Accreditations:
Bodster is approved to offer alternative provision for children with special educational needs and is able to offer nationally-recognised qualifications at Entry 3, Level 1 and Level 2 through EAQ's accreditation with OCNLR including employability, animal care, maths and English.
Testimonials:
“I suffer from anxiety and when I first came here I kept my hood up and my head down. I didn’t speak to anyone. I enjoyed the sessions but I was still anxious before I went. I don’t get anxious anymore, just excited.” Learner from ‘Developing Confidence and Self-Awareness’ course which is run weekly.
“She is really enjoying her sessions with you. She is in a much healthier place mentally from this time a year ago. My daughter has Asperger’s and the benefits of her sessions at Bodster have become clear over the weeks, in particular in building areas such as her self-confidence and her interactions with people such as yourselves will undoubtedly remain with her for her lifetime.” Nerissa,
Mother of a girl with Aspergers who came for a 10 week course in 2014
“ Met the beautiful ponies today and loved it, I shall be spending lots of time with them in the coming weeks. If you get a chance please do check out Bodster Equine Assisted Learning C.I.C. Wonderful Place, people and ponies.” Gina Stelliana,
Mum on “Mum’s Course – Isle be Active”- 19.10.2015