ONE of west Dorset’s most innovative and successful small charities is looking for a new home as they have to move by the the end of October.

TheHorseCourse was started by Harriet Laurie from Askerswell in 2010 when she devised a way to reach the most troubled young men in Portland Young Offender Institution using highly trained horses.

Since then the charity has expanded to work with hundreds of children, young people and troubled families.

Harriet said: “We are looking for somewhere in Weymouth, or as near as possible, either to buy or let.

“We need 10 to 20 acres plus a large barn of 300 sq metres plus, or room to build one.

“Although we are a charity we are used to paying a commercial rent.”

Buying a property is her preferred option to give stability to the increasingly successful charity - giving it the chance to employ more staff to deliver the course, accommodate more horses and potentially share facilities with other outdoor-based options for mental health,behaviour-change and wellbeing.

Harriet added: “Buying would of course require fundraising but we have been advised that it is a realistic option following the last six years of rapid growth."

The charity has already proved its popularity with the public - winning £50,000 from the Peoples Project ITV/Lottery to run a pilot for the victims of domestic abuse and Harriet is hoping that the local community will once again help the charity to help others.

She added: “We are something for Dorset to be really proud of.

“It all began at Portland prison but we now work each year with hundreds of children and young people with severe difficulties who find it impossible to solve their problems by talking to therapists or social workers.

“We are a trusted part of the system - taking referrals from Child Adolescent Mental Health Services, Children’s services, troubled families, offending services, schools and Pupil Referral Units when they find talking isn’t working”

“We also work with EDP drug and alcohol services.”

The charity’s newest trustee is Dr Nick Kosky, a fellow of the Royal College of Psychiatrists, medical director of a local NHS trust.

He said: “TheHorseCourse provides a unique service, developed in Dorset, with a growing world-wide reputation for helping when traditional approaches have failed.”

The charity’s success is well documented and has been the focus of several university studies.

The charity also now has hubs open across the South of England inWiltshire, Gloucestershire, London and one due to open in Surrey soon.

Email harriet@thehorsecourse.org or ring 01308 485080 if you can help.