Three years ago, Lisa was struggling to find a way forward for her daughter Lauryn. Following an autism diagnosis, Lauryn was removed from mainstream education due to burnout and emotional overwhelm. She began having frequent seizures and was eventually diagnosed with Functional Neurological Disorder, losing the ability to walk two and a half years ago. 

“Getting her out of the house became nearly impossible,” Lauryn’s mum, Lisa said. “She didn’t want to be left alone. Everything was overwhelming. She was struggling to make sense of the world around her.” 

Then they found Park Lane Stables. 

Park Lane Stables is an award-winning RDA (Riding for the Disabled Association) centre, offering horse-related therapy and activities to children and adults with disabilities. 

Our £15,000 grant to the charity will ensure that their 1080 beneficiaries, including Lauryn, are able to access these activities in a supportive and friendly environment. A real strength of the charity is that the majority of the staff team are drawn from those registered as disabled in some way – and crucially for Lisa and Lauryn, they don’t see limitations, they see possibilities. 

Lauryn has always had a love for animals, especially horses. What she loves most is simply being around them. At Park Lane Stables, she began helping with stable duties: mucking out stalls, brushing horses, and even managing to hold wheelbarrows, despite her limited mobility. 

“She doesn’t speak to anyone outside of family at home,” Lisa said, “but at Park Lane, she doesn’t need to explain herself. They just get it.” 

One of the first people Lauryn connected with was Jo, a volunteer who immediately treated Lauryn as just another kid, not someone defined by her disabilities. “Jo was brilliant,” Lisa remembered. “She just saw Lauryn for who she was.” 

Over time, Lauryn’s confidence blossomed. She earned Pony Club badges, took part in stable routines, and even began learning with Peter, the carriage driving coach – something Lisa never imagined possible. “She hasn’t been able to sit in a classroom for five years, but she can sit with Peter and learn. He makes all her goals feel achievable.” 

Then came a truly remarkable moment: Lauryn agreed to get on a carriage. “She hasn’t left the house without me in years,” Lisa said. “But she rode out with David. She was up there in her wheelchair, in control of the carriage and moving with the power of a horse. David took her out again and again. It’s had such a powerful effect on Lauryn.” 

Before finding Park Lane, Lauryn was experiencing up to 20 seizures a day. Since then, Lauryn has had none while at the stables. The calm, structured environment has brought both peace and purpose to Lauryn and Lisa.  

Lauryn struggles deeply with sensory issues, often feeling overwhelmed, but this seems to fade away when she’s with the horses. “She’ll be covered in muck and hay, grinning from ear to ear,” Lisa said. “Even though she struggles with kisses from family, she loves when the horses lick her.” 

For Lisa, Park Lane has offered something just as meaningful: “They’re a team of happy people who really care. It’s a break from the drudgery of people who don’t want to help you. They understand what we’re going through without making us feel like a burden. It can be really difficult for parents and carers as well; it’s a great reprieve and they’re always open to having a chat.” 

Having the stables in their weekly routine has transformed both their lives. “I can trust them completely,” Lisa said. “They are a great support for me, when I’m struggling to get up and leave the house, it really helps to have it in the diary and know that they get it.”  

To learn more about our charity grants programme, visit our priorities page.