Kateryna Stoian, Volunteering Development Coordinator
Volunteering is a spectrum of opportunities…it can be joyful, skill-building, rewarding, therapeutic, and even spiritual… whatever you choose. I believe volunteers should always be clear about what they expect from volunteering. I chose exactly the combination of the last two.
As a long-term volunteer offering intellectual input, I had often thought about trying something very different, something more beneficial for my mental health. When I had the chance to take a day off volunteering, I knew from the start that my choice would be horses. Horses are a spiritual symbol to me, so I felt I had to be there.
Happy Hooves CIC (a riding school and equestrian centre just outside of Sanquhar) is a very special place where I created a new and memorable experience. I’ll try to explain why it felt so special and has stayed close to my heart.
Team. Keith and Laura are a super-friendly team. They shared so much about working with horses, showed me their new stables, spoke about their plans, and of course, the challenges they face in developing the centre further, particularly building an indoor arena. It’s always inspiring to connect with such a positively ambitious team.
Young volunteers. I was so pleased to see a group of girls helping with the horses. They were confident and organised, so it all looked like a complete picture against the backdrop of beautiful nature. At the same time, it’s clear that volunteers are always needed, and bringing a range of skills can help build organisational capacity, including in the eyes of funders. I was glad to share some ideas that could support the development of their volunteering profile.
“Heart Hug” (I hope I’ve got the name right 😊). This is exactly what will bring me back to Happy Hooves again. A Heart Hug is a therapeutic method that helps release stress and improve mental wellbeing. Thanks to Rosie the horse and Keith, who guided my session, it was a magical, deeply moving experience, one that helped unravel built-up emotions through this unique energetic connection with such a magnificent animal. It works in a way that’s hard to explain but clearly healing. It’s truly worth trying, both for mental and physical health.
From my personal perspective, this one-off corporate volunteering experience helped me broaden my understanding of how to manage stress and feel more whole, which ultimately supports my professional performance. It was definitely the beginning of a friendship with Happy Hooves.