'I found a moment of peace'

FRAN THOMPSON REVEALS HOW MINDFULNESS WITH HORSES HELPED HER THROUGH HER DEPRESSION, THANKS TO NATIONAL LOTTERY FUNDING FROM THE PEOPLE'S PROJECTS

- AMY PACKER

As a young girl, Fran Thompson* gave every spare moment to caring for horses at her local stables. But back then, she would never have imagined that almost 50 years later, the creatures she loved so much would help her in her darkest hour.

“As a child and teenager I spent most of my weekends and holidays being what they call a ‘stable rat’,” laughs the 63-year-old from Bletchley, remembering the long summers and cold winters spent mucking out and riding. “But after I married and had children, I had less time for that sort of thing.” Then, in 2012, at the age of 52, Fran began to struggle with her mental health. The trigger was the menopause, with fluctuating hormones having a detrimental effect on her mood.