Funding Update

Help Enterprises McIntyre Centre has been fortunate enough to receive support from Chain Reaction for two years to provide much needed funds for equipment and infrastructure for our riding for the disabled centre.  

In 2018, funds provided enabled the construction of a new all-weather Ground Work Arena for children who due to the nature of their disability are unable to mount a horse.  The new Ground Work Arena offers a unique opportunity to physically engage with horses through structured ground-based activities, and provides a permanent stable base that is slip resistance and wheelchair friendly.  

Through its programs, McIntyre Centre enables children with disability to build physical strength, increase confidence and engage in the wider community beyond their participation in our programs.

‘Creating a Sun Smart Environment’ was the 2019 Chain Reaction project for which Help Enterprises received funding.  This funding was for the construction and installation of permanent shade structures for the Centres two Ground Work Arenas. 

The shade structures over the two Ground Work Arenas has allowed children with disability to participate in life changing programs with little exposure to Queensland’s harmful UV Rays.  The arenas are utilised not only because of their proximity to amenities, waiting area, carpark and stables, but also for the shade they now offer.

The benefits of the shade have extended to the volunteers, Equine Coaches and horses in our programs, ensuring they all have access to shade whilst working with the children during the heat of the day.  The Centre runs consecutive equine based adaptive lessons that are non-riding programs for 30 children with disability on a daily basis, with the opportunity to double this number of participants in the future. 

Help Enterprises Executive GM of Disability and Allied Health Practice, Simon Wright says, ‘without support for capital infrastructure like this from Chain Reaction, our capacity to provide such important supports for children with disability would be greatly reduced.’