Our Team
Our team is at the heart of Karele. Made up of compassionate staff, dedicated volunteers, and our incredible herd, they work together to create a safe, supportive, and meaningful experience for every person who comes through our gates.
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Founder / Director
Cath
Cath is the founder of Karele. With extensive experience supporting young people in education and social work management, she combined her professional expertise with her passion for horses to bring Karele to life - now a valued and meaningful part of the East Lothian community. A qualified teacher with over 13 years’ experience in East Lothian primary and secondary schools, specialising in learning support, Cath brings deep understanding, compassion, and leadership to the organisation.
Development Manager
Katie
Katie holds an SVQ Level 2 in Social Care and has around 10 years’ experience supporting children and adults with a range of mental health needs and learning disabilities, including autism, Down syndrome, Angelman syndrome, and epilepsy. As the driving force behind our programmes at Karele, she is a qualified counsellor with a Level 5 Diploma in Psychotherapeutic Counselling and a Level 4 Diploma in Equine-Assisted Therapy, bringing knowledge, professionalism, and compassion to her work with young people and adults.
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Ingrid
Facilitator / Stable Hand
Ingrid first joined Karele as a participant at the age of 10 and has been part of the Karele family ever since. After 12 years as a service user, she has spent the past five years as a Head Girl and facilitator, bringing valuable lived experience to her role. Calm, steady, and deeply knowledgeable, Ingrid knows our horses inside out and brings reassurance, empathy, and understanding to every session.
Amy
Facilitator / Stable Hand
Amy has volunteered with, and now worked at, Karele for four years. She holds an SVQ Level 2 in Childcare, along with an HNC and HND in Animal Care, and has valuable experience supporting children and young people. With a strong background in a variety of equestrian settings, Amy brings both practical expertise and a natural ability to build confidence. She has extensive knowledge of horse care and riding, and instinctively understands how to help each individual learn, grow, and succeed.
Our Volunteers
Karele is powered by a dedicated team of volunteers who help keep our day-to-day work running smoothly. We actively encourage our clients to get involved too, as volunteering offers the chance to build confidence, learn new skills, and become part of our supportive community. Whether it’s horsemanship, admin, marketing, fundraising, or even cake baking, we welcome people with all kinds of talents to join us and make a meaningful difference.
