Southend Council is actively working to arrange alternative support for children affected by the sudden closure of the Peaceful Pony Therapy and Alternative Education centre.

Essex County Council confirmed that they ended their relationship with the centre following inspections and safeguarding concerns, and assured that all children had been transferred to other services.

The centre, supported by funding from Essex and Southend councils, provided equine-assisted therapy for children with special needs and employed 25 staff members.

The centre's founder, Holly Lockwood-Waduge, stated she was fighting to maintain a safe space for children after losing support, which affected 40 children and led to 25 job losses.

Lockwood-Waduge explained that they received a sudden letter withdrawing support, resulting in the loss of services for 40 children and the unemployment of staff.

A mother in Essex described her autistic son Thomas, 19, as being left 'stranded and distraught' after arriving at the centre only to find it closed.

Thomas was dropped off by taxi at the centre, but upon arrival, found it closed, leaving him alone, crying, and scared.

The centre closed at the start of July after Essex County Council withdrew support due to safeguarding concerns, despite the centre's claims of no issues and efforts to improve safety.

The closure has caused significant disruption for children like Thomas, who relies on the centre for support and social interaction, and has autism, learning disabilities, and ADHD.

The council shut down the centre citing safeguarding issues, even though the founder argued there were no grounds for withdrawal.

Southend Council funded Thomas’s trips to the centre and is now working to find alternative support for him and other children affected by the closure.