Melbourne West Project

www.horsesforhope.org.au 

Horses For Hope plans in early 2021 to duplicate our existing equine assisted therapy facility at Mooroopna in order to service young people in Melbourne’s Western suburbs. The new facility will be located at a farm located at Coimadai in Moorabool Shire which provides easy client access from Bacchus Marsh, Melton, Sunbury and Gisborne. The Melbourne West Project is slated to take place over a 12 month establishment period with an objective of achieving break-even status during that time. The main steps involved are: We have already secured a long term lease of a horse farm (complete with horses) suitable for the new facility. Some work is required to complete leasehold improvements for an enclosed outside work area for horse therapy as well as an indoor counselling room. This will mostly be performed by volunteers. Rental expenses will not commence until 3 months after we are operating from the premises. Recruit a suitably qualified therapist. Our service is delivered on a fee charging basis to clients who may be self referred, through the NDIS or come to us via agencies such as DHHS, Berry Street and Catholic Care. Therefore we employ fully qualified mental health professionals who must be trained to use our equine assisted therapy methods. Promotion of the new facility to the local community including schools, local government, social welfare agencies and individuals with mental health concerns. This task has already started and our director Bill Saunders has undertaken a 15 week Community Leadership training course organised by Moorabool Council.