Service users & volunteers from Soton charity visit top trainer’s racing yard

Service users and volunteers from a Southampton charity dedicated to eradicating loneliness have recently visited a horse racing trainer’s yard as part of a collaboration with the organisation Racing Together (September 2025).

Communicare helped organise the trip to Chris Gordon Racing near Winchester, supported by Racing Together and Great British Racing*, for people who find it hard to get out by themselves.

Chris Gordon, who was there on the day to show the visitors from Communicare around, says: “It’s always great to be able to welcome people to our yard to see how racehorses are trained.”

Chris Gordon Racing trains racehorses for owners and offers point to point ownership too.

The group from Communicare were taken up to the top of the gallops to watch the horses in action. Followed by a walk around the stable yard to meet horses and staff.

One of the charity’s Trustees, Lenka Fremerova explains: “Outings like this are vital in combating isolation, reducing feelings of loneliness and providing social interaction. They provide a lot of benefits to one’s physical, mental and emotional wellbeing.”

Communicare, which is a friendly, neighbourhood charity, provides services that enrich the lives of the vulnerable and isolated people in and around Southampton.

Lenka adds: “We’re so grateful to Great British Racing and Lucy Gurney, Community Engagement Manager from the partnership of racing bodies, Racing Together, for helping organise and facilitate this trip and we’re delighted that we’ll be hopefully working together on more outings like this in the future too. We’re also indebted to Chris and the team at Morestead Farm Stables for hosting our service users and volunteers and providing such a wonderful opportunity for us to get so close to these stunning horses.

“Going to see the yard and meeting the team and horses has helped our service users get physically active, while also stimulating their minds and also offering them a change of scenery. All this helps improve mood and cognitive function.”

Communicare’s services are staffed by its devoted volunteers, known as Communiteers, who give their time freely.

Laura Gray, the wife of one of the charity’s service users Barry, who was on the Racing Together and Great British Racing trip with Commuincare, says: “Barry has not stopped talking about it since he came home and has been showing everyone his brochure.”

Communicare is currently supporting around 750 individuals/families through tasks including, befriending, transport for appointments and social outings, as well as assistance with shopping.

Service user, Maura Kearns, who went on the outing to Chris Gordon Racing, says: “I loved it. I came away feeling refreshed. It was a wonderful outing. All the staff were amazing.”

To find out more, please visit www.communicareinsouthampton.org.uk.