Donated computers support the growth of The Happiness Horsebox CIC
The Happiness Horsebox organisation offers a unique experience to people going through really tough times, with its innovative and bespoke design. The charity’s specially adapted horsebox is complete with a hydraulic lift, a bathroom and a small food preparation area, but it also has space for two horses! Owner Liz, along with her specially trained staff and volunteers, can take horses to safely visit care homes and hospices without the need to unload the animals.
Getting out in the countryside
The Happiness Horsebox CIC is really changing the lives of disabled riders too: its special features allow riders to mount horses easily – either in beautiful places for an escorted hack, or at competitions to ride on equal terms again. The charity’s horsebox is enabling people with life-changing injuries and illnesses to ride and be with horses again, and demand is unsurprisingly high for this wonderful service. Liz and her team have ambitious growth plans which include the creation of a new Riding for the Disabled (RDA) group, aptly named ‘Positive’.
Keeping things in one place
Behind the scenes, a new office space has been created. Staff and volunteers were in need of new tech to enable them to log on to access and update important policies and documents, to store important rider information, and to edit wonderful photographs. Local organisation Wiltshire Digital Drive, a Community Interest Company (CIC) (set up to refurbish and recycle donated laptops to gift back to the community) had just the thing. It had recently listed 45 computers via the A Good Thing app for local charities to request.
‘Let’s face it: in this day and age, computers and having access to the internet is critical, especially for our highly skilled volunteers.’
Liz Morrison, Owner and Creator of The Happiness Horsebox CIC
Liz collected the computers from Wiltshire Digital Drive, and connected them to the network and internet ready to be used, providing The Happiness Horsebox with its first formal and secure office space.
A generous offer
The computers collected by The Happiness Horsebox CIC were part of an extremely generous offer from Wiltshire Digital Drive: the organisation had listed 45 computers in total (all complete with keyboard, monitor, mouse and relevant cables) for charitable organisations across Wiltshire and neighbouring counties to request. A total of nine charities received a computer bundle via the A Good Thing platform, including a community radio station, a local scrap store and Christian charity Tools with a Mission.
Natalie Sherman, Director of Wiltshire Digital Drive, commented:
“It’s a pleasure to be able to help and be a part of the programme!”
Liz from The Happiness Horsebox was really enthusiastic about A Good Thing and has since requested several more items via the platform to help furnish the new office and to support the outdoor operations of her new RDA group:
‘It’s an excellent idea and I’m sure you’ll go far.’
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