Hundreds of people queued to take a look inside a new animal-assisted therapy centre as it officially opened its doors to the community in Broadbottom.
Inspiring Animal Therapy CIC celebrated the launch of its new home at the Etherow Centre, on the border of Tameside and Glossopdale, with an open day that attracted visitors keen to learn more about the therapeutic benefits of working with animals.
The centre has been established in response to growing concerns over mental health and emotional wellbeing, particularly among children and young people. According to NHS England, around one in five children and young people now has a probable mental health disorder, while demand for support services across Greater Manchester continues to rise.
Locally, an estimated 5,485 children and young people in Tameside are living with a diagnosable mental health condition, highlighting the need for accessible and innovative forms of support.
Inspiring Animal Therapy was founded by directors Anna Provart and Becki Taylor, who were inspired by their own experiences of seeing the positive impact animals can have during difficult times. For Anna, that journey began when her sister was diagnosed with a brain tumour at just two years old.
The organisation provides animal-assisted therapy delivered by trained practitioners working alongside a variety of carefully selected therapy animals, including miniature horses, pigs, pygmy goats, dogs, reptiles and small animals.
Anna explained: “Interacting with animals can trigger release of the ‘feel-good’ hormones oxytocin and serotonin, which are linked to reduced stress and improved emotional wellbeing.
“For some, working with a horse can build confidence and emotional regulation, while for others, spending time with smaller animals offers comfort, grounding and reassurance. Our animals help people feel safe, accepted and understood – often when words are hard to find.”
The service supports people experiencing anxiety, trauma, emotional difficulties, neurodiversity, additional needs, low confidence and social isolation. It also offers ASDAN and AQA accredited courses for young people who struggle to attend mainstream school full-time.
The new centre will host one-to-one therapeutic sessions, small group work and community programmes, with plans already in place to expand services in response to demand.
Alongside its work at the Broadbottom base, Inspiring Animal Therapy partners with schools, hospitals, hospices, care homes and families across the region to provide early intervention, education and preventative support through outreach programmes.
Becki Taylor said the opening marked a significant milestone for the organisation.
“Having our own centre has been a dream for us from the beginning. Opening in Broadbottom allows us to become part of the local community.
“This centre is about creating a welcoming, inclusive space where people of all ages can heal, grow and feel inspired.”
The launch comes at a time when mental health services are facing increasing pressure. Nationally, referrals to children’s mental health services have risen by more than 50 per cent since 2019, while many young people continue to face lengthy waits for NHS treatment.
In Tameside, where some communities experience high levels of deprivation and health inequality, advocates say services such as Inspiring Animal Therapy can play an important role in providing early support and helping families access wellbeing services closer to home.
For more information about the centre and its services, email admin@inspiringanimaltherapy.org