Volunteer Riding Assistant

The principle activities include:

• Helping to prepare the horses/ponies for each riding or non-riding therapy session, which includes grooming, picking out hooves and then tacking up the horses and ponies.
• Once our participants have arrived for their riding session a volunteer will either be allocated as a leader or a side walker for a particular horse/pony and will stay with this horse/pony until the session is over. For our non-riding therapy, a volunteer will assist with the session as guided.
• Assisting with mounting and dismounting.
• When therapy sessions have finished for the day, the volunteer will help to untack and brush down the horse/pony and either turn them out in a paddock or return them to a stable as advised.

No previous experience is necessary as we will provide full training and support for volunteers.

Volunteers also get involved with various fundraising activities, which often take place at weekends, for example manning a stand at a local event. Fundraising also often involves baking cakes or cooking for events and all help is very gratefully received.

Our riding sessions are:

• Monday - 15.00 - 16.30
• Tuesday - 08.30 - 12.30
• Wednesday - 11.00 - 17.00
• Thursday - 09.00 - 12.00
• Friday - 11.00 - 15.00

There are also plenty of administration opportunities assisting the Chair of the Group with paperwork as well as helping to organise non-fundraising events, such as the volunteers Christmas and summer parties.

All our riding and non-riding therapy sessions take place at the following address: Manor Farm Stables, Chilton Foliat, Hungerford, RG17 0TJ. The stables are located on the B4192 heading out of the village of Chilton Foliat towards Ramsbury, which is a short distance from Hungerford and within easy reach of Junction 14 of the M4.

About Lambourn RDA (Riding for the Disabled Association)

Riding for the Disabled Association (RDA) is a charity that makes a difference by championing disabled people and it excels as a provider of disability sport. Nationally there are around 500 groups helping 28,000 people with physical and learning difficulties to achieve personal goals, through riding, vaulting and carriage driving each year.

Lambourn RDA is a member group and is based at Manor Farm Stables in Chilton Foliat, RG17 0TJ. We are a very friendly group run entirely by volunteers, providing riding and non-riding therapy five days a week, during term time, for a wide range of people and abilities, both children and adults. We employ one member of staff to look after our ponies.

We are a registered charity and an incorporated business. The group is completely self-supporting and our annual running costs are around £70,000, which is raised by fundraising and donations.

What skills do I need?

Experience of horses is useful but not required as we will provide full training and support for volunteers.

Most riding therapy sessions take place on a flat level surface, but for safety of our riders, a reasonable level of mobility is required to lead a horse or be a side walker. All riding and non-riding activity takes place outdoors.

We are looking for individuals who are personable and fun, and a good sense of humour definitely helps.

All volunteers have to be DBS checked in order to be accepted. A qualification in First Aid is helpful, but not essential. Volunteers must be aged over 14.

When is this role available?

	Morning	Afternoon	Evening
Monday
Tuesday
Wednesday
Thursday
Friday
Saturday
Sunday

Details

Volunteers can come for as little or as much time as they are able to, but most come for at least one full session, which lasts for a maximum of half an hour.

Where does this role take place?