Founded by a family who knows
Stable Ground began with one autistic boy, and three women who love him — a grandmother, a mother and an aunt — who understood exactly what these children and their families need, because they live it.
Why we exist
From lived experience to a two-acre promise
We watched a bright, loving boy be shut out of the clubs and activities other children take for granted — not by anyone's unkindness, but by noise, crowds and unpredictability. We saw how much calmer, more himself, he became around animals. And we saw how few places there were that could offer that, one child at a time, without a two-hour drive and a two-year wait.
So we decided to build one. Our founder owns a quiet two-acre site in East Renfrewshire, and has given it to the charity rent-free on a ten-year lease — a permanent foundation that most new charities never have. On that ground, we're building Stable Ground.
Our name
Stable Ground works on three levels
The stables
The literal home of our ponies and animals — the place children come to.
Emotional stability
The steadiness and regulation children build through calm, predictable time with animals.
Solid ground for families
A dependable place to stand for parents and carers who so often feel they're coping alone.
The people
Our founding team
Lived experience, teaching expertise and clinical credibility — plus the independent trustees who keep us strong and accountable.
[Founder name]
Founder & Chair
Grandmother of an autistic child and owner of our two-acre site, donated rent-free on a ten-year lease. The driving force and permanent foundation behind Stable Ground.
Sky
Session design lead
A qualified secondary teacher working and volunteering in SEN education, leading our session design and undertaking RDA coach training.
Chloe
Health & referral pathways
A qualified NHS radiographer and parent of an autistic son, leading on referral relationships and health partnerships.
The land
Two acres, secured for ten years
Our founder personally owns the site and provides it to the charity rent-free on a ten-year lease. It's being documented properly, with the founder declaring their interest and standing back from any board decision about the land — exactly as good governance requires.
Secure, long-term tenure like this is precisely what capital funders look for before backing buildings, an arena or stables. It's the strongest possible signal that Stable Ground is here to stay.
How we're run
Built properly, from the ground up
We're establishing Stable Ground as a Scottish Charitable Incorporated Organisation (SCIO), regulated by OSCR.
SCIO structure
Its own legal identity, limited liability for trustees, and a single regulator — OSCR.
Policies in place
Safeguarding, health & safety, animal welfare, privacy and volunteer policies drafted and adopted.
PVG & safer recruitment
Everyone in a regulated role with children joins the PVG scheme before they start.
Transparent by design
A conflicts register, minuted decisions, and independent trustees on the board.
The plan
Our path to opening the gate
- Now — register & prepare. OSCR application, the land lease, pre-application planning talks, RDA affiliation, PVG checks, and early funding.
- Next — non-riding sessions. Small animals, horse groundwork and care — launching first, gathering the outcomes data that unlocks bigger grants.
- Then — ridden sessions. Introduced once facilities, coach qualifications and insurance are fully in place.
- Always — measure & grow. Evidence every place, include siblings and carers, and never outrun our welfare or safety standards.
Want to be part of the beginning?
The most exciting time to join a charity is right at the start. Support us, sponsor an animal, volunteer, or simply follow the journey.