-
Removed
-
This charity was removed from the register on 31 Jul 2024
- Charity no. 105235
- Date registered. 04/07/2016
Public benefits
The beneficiaries of the Parents and Friends Association are those children and young people with additional needs and disabilities who avail of the services provided by the Donkey Assisted Therapy Centre Belfast. They may attend the centre with their school or family members or they may benefit from an outreach visit into the community. Young
adults with learning disabilities who may be on work placement at the Centre are included among the beneficiaries. Older people visiting the Centre or those who receive an outreach visit to their care home or day centre also may benefit. Parents accompanying children with additional needs/disabilities to therapy sessions may benefit from mutual support, sharing of information and resources and friendships. These beneficiaries come from all over Northern Ireland. The benefits flowing from the Donkey Assisted Therapy Centre (supported by the work of the Parents and Friends Association) are that the children develop socially, emotionally and physically during the riding therapy through their participation in interactive and stimulating games which encourage speech and language, fine motor skills, co-ordination and core stability. These benefits are evidenced through observational methods and by seeking feedback from parents, carers, teachers and other professionals as well as from the young people themselves. Others, including the adults visiting the centre also benefit from interaction with the donkeys, or by enjoying the facilities such as the sensory garden.
What your organisation does
The PFA actively supports the work of the Donkey Assisted Therapy Centre by fundraising to provide additional and complementary resources to be used by the children and families who attend the Centre. We seek funding from a variety of charitable sources as well as organising fundraising activities such as sale of goods/books, fireside quizzes and
raffles. All the money raised goes towards enhancing the range of educational and therapeutic opportunities on offer for the beneficiaries. We work alongside staff members and other volunteers to promote and enhance the work of the Centre. We have taken a lead on major fundraising initiatives such as the successfully completed “Sensory Garden for All” and the current “Carting Track” project. We also try to encourage more parents to become involved in whatever way they can, even if they do not participate in committee work. It could be by providing raffle prizes, seeking support from local businesses or simply helping out at one off events.
The charity’s classifications
- The advancement of education
- The relief of those in need by reason of youth, age, ill-health, disability, financial hardship or other disadvantage
Who the charity helps
- Children (5-13 year olds)
- Learning disabilities
- Older people
- Physical disabilities
- Preschool (0-5 year olds)
- Sensory disabilities
- Youth (14-25 year olds)
How the charity works
- Disability
- Education/training
Charitable purposes
to relieve those in need by reason of ill-health, disability or other disadvantage who avail of the services provided by Donkey Assisted Therapy Belfast (‘DAT Belfast’), and; to advance the education and development of such persons; through any charitable means but in particular by: (a) engaging in activities which support and promote the work of the Donkey Assisted Therapy Centre Belfast (b) supporting parents of young people with additional needs who avail of the services provided by DAT Belfast (c) providing additional and complementary resources and facilities for the benefit of all those attending DAT Belfast (d) developing effective relationships between DAT Belfast staff, volunteers, parents, carers, relatives and friends and persons for whom provision is made at DAT Belfast