New Beginnings has launched a new education hub, expanded its community work and grown its stabling over the past 12 months
It has been a busy year of promoting the positive side of life after racing for an East Yorkshire charity. New Beginnings has been looking back over the past 12 months and reflecting on the many activities and progress made in its 15th anniversary year.
New Beginnings, near Bishop Wilton, is a charity determined to offer a “life past the post” for thoroughbreds that have concluded their racing days and provides a safe and secure environment in which they can be retrained ahead of rehoming. Pam and Kevin Atkinson ditched their respective careers to launch New Beginnings, which has seen huge strides taken in 2025.
The year has been an opportunity to focus on the three core strands of the charity’s work – retraining and rehoming former racehorses; community engagement and the New Beginnings education programme. Not long after the charity’s annual fundraising ball, in February, its two equine ambassadors Remy (Goldream) and Poppy the pony greeting finalists and guests at the Godolphin Thoroughbred Industry Employee Awards, at York racecourse.
Standing inside the entrance lobby between the glass sliding doors and the bank of lifts was “no mean feat”, said Pam and Kevin, “but our horses were amazing and very well received by everyone – so much so we were asked to do the same again just a few weeks ago, in November, for the RCA Showcase & Awards evening, again at York Racecourse”.
May saw the launch of New Beginnings’ Education Hub, which was officially opened by the Countess of Halifax. “The hub has been very busy this year,” the couple said.
“We’ve hosted many different groups of people.” The visits have been made by everyone from hospital patients and staff to schoolchildren, international pony club teams, racehorse owners and company employees for volunteer and team building days. The Society of Equestrian Artists tutors and students also held a workshop there and the horses were live models.
“All our visitors here have enjoyed our purpose-built facilities and enjoyed, meeting our horses, cats, goats and chickens too. One young lady who visited from a specialist centre in York had a debilitating medical condition, which had caused her to lose her sight.
“The smile on her face when she got up close to Remy and felt his presence, then his breath and whiskers when he lowered his head to her, was just magical.” The charity has extended its community visits across the region.
“Every single visit has brought happiness and a sense of well-being to the patients, residents, family members and staff. Some were very poorly people who from their hospital beds and wheelchairs got to meet and stroke Remy, Nico and Poppy.
“One patient at a brain injury centre was feeling bewildered and anxious as it was only her second day there when we visited. Nico quickly made her feel more relaxed and gave her the determination to get better as soon as she could, so she could return to her family and horses at home.
“This wholeheartedly encompasses ‘People Helping Horses and Horses Helping People’ and shows the true versatility of these wonderful horses.” New Beginnings has also been working with education charity Racing to School during 2025, and is looking forward to continuing this working relationship in 2026.
There have been numerous racecourse days with the charity’s equine ambassadors in attendance, and a potential new ambassador horse arriving too in the shape of Haverland, or Havers.
“Haverland and Khadijah Mellah – Khadijah being the first hijab-wearing jockey in a British horse race on Haverland, winning the Magnolia Cup in 2019 at Goodwood – both joined us this year, Khadijah becoming a patron and Havers a potential ambassador horse. Havers had his first outing this summer at a medium secure hospital and he took it all in his stride so we’re hopeful he too can fly the flag for former racehorses and New Beginnings.”
As well as supporting National Racehorse Week, Middleham Stables’ open day and an open day for the Friends of New Beginnings, the charity has been involved in over 60 events either at home or in the community. A big build began in the summer at the site, converting loose barns into 14 additional stables with an indoor wash area.
“We are delighted that we have a former headteacher from a York Primary School joining us to manage and run our education programme in January. Nicki shares our passion and believes, there are some exciting times ahead.
“We’re proud of our wonderful team, a heartfelt thank you to them as well as our loyal volunteers, our horses and supporters too.”