Wellbeing
♡ Contact Hugs ♡Hooves, Hearts & Minds aligned
Well-Being Support for Children and Young People and their Families
At The Hugs Foundation, we are dedicated to transforming lives and empowering individuals through harnessing the therapeutic power of rescue animals and nature on the edge of the stunning Bodmin moor in Cornwall. We believe people’s well-being is paramount and offer holistic support for a wide range of social, emotional, physical, and mental health needs including; anxiety, depression, non-school attendance, neurodiversity, PTSD, physical disabilities, and more.
What makes our support so unique, is the bond between young person and rescue animal, working together in a safe, inclusive and nurturing environment for brighter futures.
Whether someone has experienced trauma, abuse, neglect, or is facing life’s toughest challenges, we are here to help. From rebuilding self-esteem and overcoming social isolation to supporting individuals with learning difficulties or those at risk of self-harm, we are a place of hope, healing, and growth.
Our mission is to inspire recovery from trauma, strengthen resilience, and equip individuals with lifelong coping strategies. Through service-user led activities, including our beautiful facilities and the companionship of our rescued animals, we offer a tailored experience where service users take control of their journey to wellness.
By allowing service users to set their own goals and choose their activities, we provide an empowering environment where every success, big or small, boosts confidence and self-esteem. At The Hugs Foundation, you are at the heart of everything we do. Together, we work towards creating lasting change, helping individuals rediscover their inner strength and thrive in life.
We receive referrals from all over Cornwall and into Devon from a range of professional bodies including CAMHS, Social Workers, Schools and other charities, to name a few! We are passionate about making our well-being sessions accessible to all and believe in early support and welcome referrals from parents and caregivers too. We also have funding to help with travel costs, if needed. Just email wellbeing@hugsfoundation.org.uk to find out more.
Our Facilities
The Sensory Garden
Thanks to the generous support of our volunteers and local businesses, we have created a vibrant garden filled with opportunities for exploration. Discover a wide variety of plants, find comfort in a cozy den, and learn about life cycles by observing our tranquil pond. The inviting patio offers the perfect spot to relax and reflect, watch birds and insects, and perhaps even engage in a creative craft activity.
Veg Patch
We have beautifully designed raised beds that create a fully accessible space for our service users to plant fruits and vegetables from seeds. This hands-on experience provides a wonderful opportunity for them to learn about the origins of their food.
The Hub
Cool in the summer and cozy in the winter our arts and crafts hub offers a safe place to shelter from the weather and explore more creative activities or play a board game.
The Trim Trail
Our new climbing frame style installation gives service users the chance to expand their gross motor skills whilst keeping an eye on our cheeky goats over the fence!
We have something new arriving soon, so keep your eyes peeled!
Just One Example of The Long-Term Impact Our Sessions Can Have
“I cannot express enough gratitude for the profound impact The Hugs Foundation has had on my daughter’s life. Throughout her journey with ADHD, anxiety, and anger behaviour issues, the Foundation provided a safe haven where she could find solace and stability.
Working with the horses was transformative for her. The gentle nature of these incredible animals offered her an escape from the chaos in her mind. Each session became a sanctuary where she learned to calm herself, develop a sense of routine, and connect with something bigger than her struggles.
Fast forward to today, and I am so proud to share that she is now a full-time dairy farmer and has her own horse. The lessons she learned through The Hugs Foundation continue to guide her, enriching her daily life and helping her maintain that vital connection and routine.
Thank you, Hugs Foundation, for being a beacon of hope and support during our most challenging times. Your dedication and care have truly changed our lives for the better.”
Words from a parent
If you wish to make a referral please email: wellbeing@hugsfoundation.org.uk
The Team
Our Well-being team consists of Hazel, our Well-Being Manager, and Julie, our Well-Being Facilitator. Together, they bring a wealth of knowledge and experience working with children and young people. They have become the first practitioners in Cornwall qualified in the OCN London Equine Assisted Services Diploma, marking an exciting new chapter for our team.
We are also listed on the HEIR UK register, a valuable resource that helps service users find reputable, qualified, and appropriate services tailored to their needs and are active members of the National Equine Welfare Council (NEWC) to protect our equines welfare.
Safeguarding Statement
The Hugs Foundation holds the safety, health, and welfare of its staff, volunteers and services users as paramount.
We all have a duty of care to safeguard and promote the welfare of children and to maintain a professional attitude in respect of safeguarding concerns.
We are committed to safeguarding and ensure that our service users thrive in a safe and supportive environment, whatever their age, ethnicity, religion, disability, sexual identity, or gender. All staff within the charity are trained to a minimum if level 3 safeguarding and kept up to date with changes in legislation and practice. We take any allegations and suspicion of abuse seriously and will respond promptly and have a Deputy Designated Safeguarding Lead and Designated Safeguarding Lead in place.
All staff and volunteers undergo a rigorous safer recruitment process in line with statutory guidance and consequently all necessary background checks, for example DBS are completed before staff/volunteers begin employment.
All staff and volunteers are encouraged to report any concerns that they have and not see these as insignificant. Safeguarding is everyone’s responsibility, regardless of role or level of responsibility. On occasions, a referral is justified by a single incident such as injury or disclosure of abuse. More often however, concerns accumulate over a period and are evidenced by building up a picture of harm over time. In these circumstances, it is crucial that all staff record concerns in accordance with our safeguarding policy to allow the designated safeguarding lead to understand need and risk and access support for the child at the earliest opportunity.
If you have a safeguarding concern where the child has been harmed or is at risk of harm you must report immediately to the safeguarding lead, or deputy safeguarding lead. If you are unable to contact them, you can ask any member of staff to find them and ask them to speak confidentially to you straight away and report your concern.
Useful Contacts:
NSPCC: 0808 800 500
Childline: 0800 1111
Early Help Hub: 01872 324605
MARU: 0300 1231 116
