TV star Claudia Winkleman visits Claudy to witness the inspiring young lives being transformed

Lives are being changed every day at Gortilea Social Farm in County Derry, the latest Good Cause to feature in the National Lottery’s Because of You series. 

The films follow Claudia Winkleman, the National Lottery’s Ambassador-in-Chief, as she meets projects across the UK that showcase the extraordinary difference National Lottery funding makes to local communities, all made possible Because of You, the players.

Gortilea Social Farm’s expert practitioner Clare McMonagle uses equine therapy to support the physical and emotional wellbeing of young people. Claudia Winkleman visited the farm with Caitlin, a National Lottery player from Belfast to see first-hand the incredible impact funding has had on the community at Gortilea, near Claudy.

Clare, who specialises in hippotherapy, a therapeutic technique that uses the natural movement of a horse to aid rehabilitation, has seen remarkable progress among the children she works with. From autism and ADHD to paralysis and injuries sustained in accidents, Clare believes horses have a unique calming effect and healing power.

“We’ve had children walk or talk for the first time. The National Lottery has been a massive support,” Clare said.

“They have always backed my pioneering ideas – ideas that simply wouldn’t have been possible otherwise.”

Alongside equine therapy, the 140 acre working farm helps young people with learning difficulties gain confidence, develop social skills and even achieve formal qualifications through hands on experiences caring for animals and the land.  Young people can forage for fruit, make jam, and learn how to look after the animals – often for the very first time. One young man, Daniel, who once spent most days alone in his room, discovered new confidence at the farm.

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Claire commented: “It’s very much an active, working farm. After coming here Daniel was able to take on new challenges, including training on a construction site and making new friends.”

Reflecting on her time at the farm, Claudia Winkleman said: “It’s been absolutely wonderful visiting Gortilea Social Farm. The confidence, calm, and sheer joy shining from these young people as they connect with the horses and take part in the farm’s activities is truly inspiring. Clare’s work here is exceptional, and the progress, healing and hope we’ve witnessed today are only possible thanks to National Lottery players - every time you play, you’re helping fund incredible good causes just like this.”

Clare described Claudia’s visit as “surreal” but exciting for everyone. Claudia visited Gortilea Social Farm in her role as The National Lottery’s Ambassador-in-Chief, helping highlight the incredible difference National Lottery players make to communities across the UK. It’s Because of You that projects like Gortilea continue to thrive, supporting arts, heritage, sport and community‑led initiatives.

Gortilea received its first National Lottery funding in 2015 for social farming and a hippotherapy pilot supporting children with disabilities. The farm has since received further support for an innovative project exploring how natural heritage can promote wellbeing and help health professionals develop new therapeutic practices.

In her role as Ambassador-in-Chief, Claudia will continue to champion the inspiring stories and incredible people across the country whose lives have been transformed by National Lottery funding. Claudia will be working with The National Lottery to tell these stories as part of a long-term partnership. The unique films cover the difference The National Lottery funding is making to grassroots projects supporting the arts, communities, heritage and sport. Claudia will be accompanying a local National Lottery player to reveal the life-changing impact made possible every time they play.

Since National Lottery funding began in 1994 more than 650,000 projects have been funded with the astonishing £52 billion raised by players with a ticket or Scratchcard. Every week, on average, National Lottery players raise more than £32 million which enables hundreds of projects to have received funding in every postcode area across the country.