The Next Steps Forward

16/02/2026

🌿 The Last Day of the Snake Year 🐍

There’s something about today that feels symbolic.

A closing.
A shedding.
A quiet acknowledgement of what this year has required.

The snake energy has been about survival.
About tightening up.
Protecting.
Enduring.
Learning hard lessons.

And if I’m honest, this year has asked that of me.
It’s asked me to face things I didn’t choose.
To rebuild strength in places that were shaken.
To sit with fear instead of running from it.

But survival isn’t where we stay.

Tomorrow we step into the energy of the horse 🐎
And that feels different.

The horse doesn’t survive, it moves.
It responds.
It trusts its body.
It steps forward.

And I think that’s the shift.

Leaving behind:
• the constant bracing
• the old narratives
• the anger that was really fear
• the parts of me that only knew how to protect

Not pretending it didn’t happen.
Just choosing not to carry it forward.

This year I’m stepping differently.
With clearer boundaries.
With calmer strength.
With less apology for taking up space.

And that’s exactly the work I’m seeing unfold in sessions too, children finding the courage to say “I’m scared,” adults softening into honesty, movement happening without force.

Maybe this isn’t about becoming someone new.
Maybe it’s about finally walking as who you are, without the weight.

If you’ve been shedding this year…
I hope you step forward with intention tomorrow 🌿🐎

And if you’re ready to explore that shift, gently, safely, at your own pace, the horses are here. 💙

02/02/2026

🌿 Weekend Reflections from the Farm 🐎

This weekend’s groups were something really special.

We had a beautiful mix of ages 5, 9 and 11 boys and girls, all coming together and working so gently with Spirit. Every session reminds me that no matter how carefully you plan, the real work begins when you meet children (and adults) exactly where they are that day, and allow them to bring what they need into the space.

Our morning group, which naturally flowed into a couple of private sessions afterwards, centred around fear, the things that feel scary, hard to say out loud, or too big to name.

For the boys especially, it was clear how difficult it can be to admit feeling scared. Saying it out loud felt exposing, and instead those feelings had often been coming out as frustration or angry outbursts. Once we slowed things down, talked together, and spent time drawing what helps them feel calm, something shifted.

From there, the group worked together to design their own obstacle course in the school and take Spirit through it on the lead rope. Watching this unfold never fails to amaze me.

Spirit met each child exactly where they were:
• gently dozing and softening for our 5-year-old
• holding steady and responsive for the group
• and showing a bit of her stubborn side for our 11-year-old, offering just the right amount of challenge

She mirrors what’s at the other end of the rope every time.

These moments, where fear is acknowledged, not judged, and where children feel safe enough to explore it, are where confidence, understanding, and real movement forward begin.

So grateful for the trust placed in this work, and for the horses who teach us again and again that slowing down and being honest changes everything 🌿🐎
Thank you Zoe Britt for your support through the sessions and Deborah Anna Andersen for your amazing lessons given 🥰💙

26/01/2026

🌿 How Horses Support Growth 🌿

Over the last few weeks, many of you have asked for a little more insight into what happens in our sessions and workshops.

Horses are incredible teachers, they mirror our energy, respond to honesty, and invite connection in a way that’s gentle but profoundly insightful. In the sessions I’m running, they help:
• Build confidence: noticing small achievements and celebrating progress
• Regulate emotions: encouraging calm, patience, and awareness of how our body feels
• Understand boundaries: learning to hold space for ourselves and respect others
• Practice connection: gentle, guided interaction helps both children and adults feel seen and safe

Every session is paced to the individual, whether in a small group or 1:1. The focus is always on safe, supportive, and meaningful interaction, nothing is forced, and every moment is about feeling, noticing, and growing.

These sessions are suitable for anyone wanting to:
• Reconnect with themselves
• Practice emotional awareness
• Strengthen confidence and social connection
• Explore gentle, guided movement with horses

Spaces are limited to keep it safe and meaningful. If you’re curious, feel free to message me for more info or to reserve a spot 🌿🐎

20/01/2026

Last week I got back in the saddle.
Something I hadn’t realised how much I’d missed until I felt it again.

It wasn’t just about riding a horse, it was about choosing me.
Putting myself forward. Returning to what lights me up. Reclaiming parts of myself that had been quietly waiting.

As soon as I was there, the joy rushed in. The passion. The deep sense of this is who I am.
Horses have always been home to my nervous system, my heart, my truth and stepping back into that space felt like coming back to life.

This is part of the new me.
Not shrinking. Not waiting.
But moving gently and bravely toward the things I love.

And it felt incredible 🐎✨

Now I’m so excited to get Crown back up and running, here’s to more rides, more joy, and more connection. 💙

19/01/2026

✨Update: I’ve been really touched by the response to the children’s horse-led sessions. There is still space for one or two more children in the Saturday morning 10am group on 31st January. These sessions are calm, nurturing, and led at each child’s own pace, offering a gentle space to build confidence, regulation, and connection alongside the horses. If this feels right for your child, you’re very welcome to message me 🌿🐎

🌿 An Invitation 🐎

Over the past weeks, I’ve been sharing reflections around letting go, reconnecting, and allowing gentle movement forward.

Alongside this, I’ve noticed clear themes emerging in my work with clients, setting intentions,
clear communication, understanding and holding boundaries, and finding safe ways to move forward without pressure.

These themes are shaping the next phase of my work.

In the coming weeks, I’ll be offering a small number of horse-led sessions designed to support this process, held slowly, safely, and with care.

There will be:
• a space for adults, focusing on reconnection, nervous system support, and gentle forward movement
• a space for children, supporting confidence, emotional regulation, and connection through calm interaction with the horses

These won’t be rushed or high-pressure sessions.
They’re intended to be grounding, supportive, and paced to the individual.

If this feels like something you or your child might benefit from, you’re welcome to message me to register interest. More details will be shared soon.

12/01/2026

The past week reminded me how much courage it takes to connect with myself again.
To feel fully, without armour, to notice my own needs, my own boundaries, my own heart.

And from there, letting people in feels possible.
To build friendships, nurture relationships,
and be present emotionally and physically.

It’s scary.
And it’s exciting.

I’ve been carrying so much armour for so long and now I’m noticing the spaces where it’s finally okay to soften.

Horses have always been the mirror for this.
They show me that connection is safe when it’s earned slowly, gently, and with care.
When the body says yes.

This is the shift I’m walking into now:
feeling myself more, building connections again,
moving more, and letting life in even if it feels vulnerable.

If you’re standing at a similar threshold,
remember: you don’t have to rush.
The next steps forward into connection with yourself or others is often the bravest. 💙🐴🐎

07/01/2026

There are periods in life where survival is the work.
Where the body learns how to protect, hold on, and get through.

And there are periods in life where something begins to loosen.
Where we start to notice what no longer fits, not with judgement, but with care.

Shedding doesn’t mean what happened didn’t matter.
It means the body no longer needs the same armour.

Working with horses has taught me this again and again.
They don’t rush change.
They don’t move until safety is present.

This phase of my work is focused on that kind of healing, listening to the body, honouring pace, and allowing movement when it’s genuinely ready.

If you’re in a place of quiet letting go,
or standing on the edge of something new, you’re not behind.

You’re exactly where you need to be. 💙

07/01/2026

I want to take a moment to celebrate someone very special to me 💙
My amazing sister has just released her first ever cookbook “One Little Bite” and I couldn’t be prouder.

First-hand, her food is to die for. She’s usually a private chef for families and celebrities, so having her recipes captured in a book feels pretty special ✨ Every dish she creates is full of care, flavour and heart.

This book has been written, created and self-published entirely by her, with so much love, courage and persistence behind every page. It’s real, heartfelt, and made to be enjoyed, not perfected.

I get my copy on Friday and honestly cannot wait to start cooking my way through it… hoping my versions come out even a little like how hers arrive on the table 😄🍽️

If you love honest food, home-grown creativity, and supporting women following their dreams, I’d be so grateful if you’d take a look, share, or pass it on to someone who might love it too ✨

Here’s to taking brave steps, learning as we go, and creating from the heart 💙

Thank you to everyone for all you kind words, messages and support. It means so much! I have self published and written this book totally myself, it has been a huge learning curve and experience for me.

I didn't realise how many challenges there would be, but I did it!!! It's not perfect, but I love that it's not! For my first book I wanted something personal and hopefully you will feel the love on the pages!
Please do share, like and enjoy all the recipes!

X

04/01/2026

Happy New Year to everyone who has been part of this community.

A new year feels like a natural pause, a moment to honour what the last season asked of us, and to step forward with care.

This year begins with a sense of quiet renewal for me.
Letting go of what no longer fits, and moving into the year ahead with more grounded intention.

My work continues to centre trauma-informed healing through nature and horses, supporting movement when the body is ready.

Thank you for being here.
May this year offer steadiness, choice, and gentle forward motion. 🌿

01/12/2025

✨ Weekend Equine And Farm Therapy groups, Children & Adults ✨

Join us for two beautiful healing days with the horses:

📅 Sat 6th & Sun 14th December
🐣 Children’s Group: 10am–12pm
🧡 Adult Group: 1:30–3pm
💷 £25 per person
📍 Charing, Kent

Morning groups help little ones build confidence and emotional safety.
Afternoons offer adults a gentle space to unwind, ground, and reconnect.

Spaces are limited, message to book. 🐴🌿 Heath view farm

02/11/2025

✨ Next 2 Weeks Availability ✨
Charing, Kent

TUESDAYS

• 10:00–12:00 🌟 Alpaca walking & feeding sessions (adults & children)

• 2:00–3:00pm 🌟 1:1 Equine Therapy (adults or children)

• 3:00–4:00pm 🌟 1:1 Equine Therapy (adults or children)

WEDNESDAYS

• AM/PM 🌟 Alpaca walking & feeding (adults & children)

• 10:00–11:00am🌟 1:1 Equine Therapy (adults or children)

• 11:00–12:30pm 🌟 Adult Group Equine Therapy

THURSDAYS

• 10:00–12:00 🌟 Alpaca walking & feeding sessions (adults & children)

• 2:00–3:00pm 🌟 1:1 Equine Therapy (adults or children)

SATURDAYS

• 10:00–12:00 🌟 Children’s Equine Therapy & Animal Care Workshop

• 1:30–3:00pm🌟 Adult Group Equine Therapy Workshop

🦙🐴 Healing and nature-based sessions supporting confidence, emotional regulation and wellbeing.
Trauma-informed • Gentle pace • Connection with animals & land

📩 To book / enquire:
sonia@thenextstepsforward.com
📞 07398 238708

28/10/2025

🎃🐴 Halloween Fun at The Next Steps Forward! 🐴🎃

What a fantastic week we had celebrating our Halloween Workshops and Own a Pony Day! 👻🦙🍂

Although the weather and a few pesky bugs! got in the way of a couple of events, the days we did run were full of smiles, laughter, and learning. The children had an amazing time:
✨ Trekking with our cheeky alpacas
✨ Carving spooky (and sometimes silly!) pumpkins
✨ Riding and caring for their very own ponies
✨ Learning all about the animals here on the farm

It was such a joy to see everyone getting stuck in, making memories, connecting with the animals and making new friends 💙

A big thank you to all the families who joined us and made it such a special week. We’re already looking forward to our next adventures together! 🌾🐴