Derbyshire-based charity, Scropton Riding for the Disabled is marking a milestone with the opening of refurbished accessible toilets.

The charity, which has been running for over 60 years, helps to support children and adults with additional needs through riding lessons which can help to build confidence, self-esteem, self-awareness and empathy, aid focus and concentration, and can improve coordination and motor skills.”

The school supports people with physical, learning, sensory, multiple and profound disabilities as well as holding mainstream riding lessons. It received a grant of £44,525 from the Severn Trent Community Fund last year to upgrade its on-site toilets.

Glynis Dalley, Trustee at Scropton Riding for the Disabled, said: “We are so grateful for this grant, as our toilets were installed in the 1990s and were really showing their age. We knew that we needed to improve them as a priority, but as a charity we were having to spend money on shorter-term fixes. The grant from the Severn Trent Community Fund has meant that we can undertake a complete refit and reopen the accessible toilet in the yard.

“Ensuring we have appropriate facilities helps us to support participants and carry out a varied programme of activities which can have a range of therapeutic benefits for peoples’ health and wellbeing.”

Sue Hayes, Community Fund Officer at Severn Trent, said: “It’s always wonderful to be able to see a completed project and the school have done an amazing job in transforming these essential accessible toilets. Having seen the work that the school does first-hand – and met some of the very friendly horses! - we’re truly delighted to have been able to make this award.

“The Community Fund is now entering the final year of its first five-year pledge to provide funding for charities and projects. We strongly encourage anyone who has a project that would benefit from funding to get in touch.”

For further information on the Severn Trent Community Fund visit www.stwater.co.uk and search for Community Fund or click on this link.

ENDS

For further media information: 02477 715 640 / media@severntrent.co.uk

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Notes to editors

Severn Trent is the UK’s second biggest water company.  It serves 4.8m homes and business customers in England and Wales. Its region stretches from mid-Wales to Rutland and from north and mid-Wales south to the Bristol Channel and east to the Humber. The company delivers almost two billion litres of water every day through 50,000km of pipes. A further 93,000km of sewer pipes take waste water away to more than 1,000 sewage treatment works.