BORDERS charity Stable Life, which provides Equine Assisted Learning and Therapy for vulnerable young people across the Scottish Borders through the care of horses has been awarded a funding boost from the ScottishPower Foundation.

The funding from the ScottishPower Foundation will support 71 young people within the community, which includes facilitating work placements for five young people, allowing them to learn and develop vital core skills in a more comfortable setting rather than a traditional workplace environment, and supporting 8 young people to become volunteer helpers.

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Mags Powell CEO of Stable Life said: We are delighted and very grateful to be one of the 19 projects supported by the ScottishPower Foundation this year.

“The £35,000 grant will help us to deliver our Equine Assisted Learning programme to young people in the Scottish Borders who are facing personal challenges and difficult times in their lives.

“Using the horse and it’s environment we offer these young people a safe, nurturing and learning experience which encourages self-reflection, builds resilience, social skills and confidence, improving their mental well-being and self-belief.

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In total, twelve charities from across the country will share in funding totalling almost £1.2 million for projects tackling a range of issues, from cost-of-living support, to promoting diversity and inclusion, raising awareness of the ongoing climate and biodiversity crises and addressing skills and attainment gaps in society.

Melanie Hill, Executive Officer and Trustee at the ScottishPower Foundation, said: “This is an incredibly exciting year for us, with so many amazing projects benefitting from our support and making a difference within their local communities.

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“The real impact these initiatives will have for so many people can’t be understated, and I can’t wait to see what amazing work these charities will continue to do throughout the year.”