Derby teenager fulfils her dream of working with horses thanks to city charity

She would have missed out on a college place without it

A Derby teenager who had set her sights on working in a stables yard to care for and exercise racehorses had her dream come true thanks to a new project that has been set up in part of the city. Sixteen-year-old Ashleigh, from Chaddesden, needed help to buy specialist equipment and pay for living costs so that she could take up a place at the National Horseracing College in Doncaster.

Thanks to the special fund set up to help young people from the city’s most social deprived communities realise their education and career ambitions by charity Revive, more young people are likely to receive help. The Hopes, Dreams and Aspirations fund was born out of Revive's annual Secret Santa programme that brings Christmas joy to some of the most under-privileged and vulnerable children in the city.

Thanks to donations and direct sponsorship from businesses, groups and individuals, several young people from the Chaddesden, Derwent, Oakwood and Spondon areas are already benefiting from the new fund. Ashleigh, who was a former Da Vinci Academy pupil, has always loved working with horses and has ridden since she was ten. She is currently doing a work placement at a racing yard in the West Midlands having completed her training at the college. She said ther dream would have remained just that without the help she has had.

POLL: Is the government doing enough to help with the cost of living?

She added: "I needed a lot of safety and riding equipment which is really expensive and also basic things to be able to live away from home.

"My mum heard about Revive and we thought it would be worth a try so contacted them. I couldn’t believe it when they said they could help – it has opened the doors to what I hope will be a long career working with horses. I love working with horses – particularly these thoroughbreds who are magnificent animals and need to be looked after in just the right way.”

Other young people supported by the fund include an art student who needed support with travel expenses to go to college in Nottingham; a construction student to pay for vital safety equipment and a young man who is now studying at college with his sights set on an airline cabin crew career having previously being inspired by a trip to France with Revive.

Revive trustee and Derby City councillor Martin Rawson explained: “Over recent years, an increasing number of teenagers have asked for bus fares or college equipment for their Secret Santa request and we realised that we needed to set up an all-year support programme rather than expecting them to wait for Christmas.

“Family circumstances and finances should not be a barrier to young people achieving their hopes and dreams and that is the main objective of this programme. We are open to applications throughout the year and are busy raising funds as well as accessing specific grants and bursaries to help young people get the education, training and career breaks that they deserve."

For more information about Revive and the scheme click here. Or call 01332 288700.