Eat Sleep Ride CIC

Today we are in a lovely corner of the Scottish borders, to meet Eat Sleep Ride CIC a social enterprise that was launched in 2017 and makes a huge impact to its local community with big plans to do much more! Our Head of Communications Luke Upton sat down with their founder and director Danielle McKinnon to get great some great insights into the story, work and goals.  

Luke Upton (LU): Thanks for the time today, could you tell our readers a little about how and why you launched Eat, Sleep, Ride?

Danielle McKinnon (DM):  No problem, Luke. When Eat Sleep Ride was founded, it was with a vision to provide financially accessible equestrianism to disadvantaged young people. ESR was born from the lived experiences of our founding director. Five years down the line, the team's stories have shaped our expansion and growth and we have expanded to support the local community through equine and nature based interaction and particularly, to improve the lives of young people by providing opportunities. To this end, we moved to our purpose-built site in Lamberton in 2022. However, this was just the first step to fulfilling our true potential.

LU: Sounds a very busy few years! You are based in a beautiful part of Scotland, could you share some more about your community and who you help support?

DM: Our beneficiaries are highly vulnerable people including excluded/ SEN young people with trauma, isolated families, and adults with mental health issues. Our families experience challenges and disadvantages because of poverty, mental/physical ill health, isolation, or other vulnerability. Our children and young people come to us because of special educational needs, are at risk of antisocial behaviour, are in care, are carers or suffer from multiple complex trauma. The knowledge we have gained along the way demonstrated the healing value of a deep relationship with horses and nature. From this journey, ESR has evolved as a conduit to help people thrive and achieve their dreams.

LU: Great. For those of us who perhaps don’t know much about horses, what are some of the positives they can help with in supporting vulnerable people?

DM: When we are working with the horses, we become aware of “how others see us”. Horses respond to the energy and environment around them which makes them masters at identifying and reflecting the parts of us we don't know about or deny. Horses also have much more patience and ability to listen and provide space to form friendships and connections. 

LU: Since your launch have you seen a change in demands for your services?

DM: Since Covid-19, and through the recent recession, we have seen a sharp increase in the demand for access to our services, but also the difficulty for people to access this as they are working more and can't afford travel or even to access riding as a recreational sport. 

LU: You currently have a Crowdfunder open – what are some of the particular goals you are aiming to raise money for?

DM: In order to keep supporting our community and meet our carbon-neutral goals, we need to adapt our services and build on our spaces. So the money raised through our Crowdfunder campaign, will support the development of our pond and kitchen garden, pathways for disabled access, and rewilding of our quarry. These sites and their build will promote community connection for all, boost connection to nature, and restore and connect green spaces. We want our spaces to be free and provide opportunities to enrich lives. We will make the change to inspire future generations to save the planet and themselves. We are match funded so even if you can only afford to give £10, we still get £30 and there are rewards on offer!

LU: Great, thank you very much for the time today, Danielle, keep up the great work!

On Saturday 18^th  June, Eat Sleep Ride are hosting the Look Into Festival – it’s a fantastic day, so check out its latest details here and connect with them on Facebook, Instagram and Twitter.