FESTINA Lente, the Bray-based equine and horticultural learning charity for those with special needs, is recruiting for three new full-time positions, as it prepares to move to its new facility at Belfield House in Kilpeddar.

Belfield House is set on a 15.7ha site and the construction of the new state of the art equestrian, horticultural, therapy and educational facility is being funded by a combination of grants, donations and fundraising. The new site is just 10 minutes from its current location on the Old Connaught Road in Bray.

The charity is well-known for its outstanding work in the field of equine assisted learning for those with special needs.

The successful relocation to the new premises will not only mean the continuation of existing services to 450 people each week, but also the further development of education and learning programmes to an additional 200 people weekly. These include QQI level 4-6 accredited therapeutic coaching and equestrian training programmes for those wishing to develop their careers.

Plans

Planning permission for the project has already been granted by Wicklow County Council. The plans include two indoor arenas with associated viewing galleries and an adjoining building with a conference room, office space, classrooms and equipment rooms. They also include a horticultural training, learning and educational building, a training, learning and educational canteen facility and an administrative and farm shop building.

The plans also include a yard with a horse–walker, a horse-box parking area, ancillary equine/site management sheds and a single-storey stable facility, accommodating 36 individual horse stalls with 18 adjoining outdoor stalls, a single-storey garden workshop building, two polytunnels, an allotment garden and an outdoor horse-riding arena.

Permission was also sought to remove the existing vehicular entrance serving Belfield House via the N11 and to develop a replacement vehicular entrance and access driveway via Ballyronan Road.

Expansion

Assistant Chief Executive Joanne Mortimer said the team was expanding now, so that the new recruits would be fully trained by the move date.

“We need to grow in order to meet demand and, once we get to the new site, we can increase the capacity of coaching sessions and horses. We want to onboard the staff now, so that when we do land in Belfield, we actually have a full complement of an enlarged staff. The cut and fill stage is expected in March this year and we would hope to be able to move within two years.”

The three positions available include therapeutic riding coach, equestrian coach, and equestrian training programme coordinator.

Privilege

Hannah Morgan, head of therapeutic riding at Festina Lente, described how she enjoyed her role and encouraged anyone interested to apply.

“No two days are the same in any Equestrian Centre and this is no different in Festina Lente,” she said.

“However, we have a distinctive speciality in terms of offering therapeutic coaching sessions - meaning that every day is made truly special through working with each individual and their family. Every day is a learning opportunity. As a therapeutic riding coach, every session is tailored to the individual and to their own therapeutic goals. These goals are typically developed in partnership with a multidisciplinary team, which brings a richness to the sessions in terms of appreciating the therapeutic benefits - be they physical, cognitive, emotional and/or social skill development.

“And beyond this, it is a privilege to work alongside the wider equestrian team of 20 staff, who are best in class in terms of their equine expertise, experience, dedication and commitment to the work of Festina Lente. And, of course, not to forget working with the team of 36 equines. Every single member of the Festina Lente team is incredibly generous with their knowledge, which has been a tremendous gift to me in building my own professional expertise.”

For more information on the roles, visit www.festinalente.ie/about-us/careers