Lesson Volunteers

Riding For The Disabled gives lessons to children with physical and learning disabilities. 

Each lesson needs a number of volunteers in order to take place. For every rider there is a pony leader, together with one or two side helpers who walk alongside and assist the rider where necessary.

Volunteers help to prepare the ponies for the lessons, and to remove the tack at the end. 

Volunteers are encouraged to attend a regular two hour session each week, enabling a good rapport to be developed.

Wyld Court at Hampstead Norreys is a Downland Village through Hermitage on the B4009 to the North of Newbury about 10 miles.

About Newbury Riding For The Disabled Association (RDA)

The object of the charity is to provide riding lessons as a therapy to disabled children and young people. This improves muscle tone, co-ordination, concentration and gives the rider a sense of achievement as well as pleasure.

Classes are organized in response to demand for lessons. Currently we have about 85 riders registered with us, though absences mean that we average around 60 rides a week during the academic year. We currently operate mornings and afternoons on Monday, Tuesday and Thursday, Wednesday afternoon and Friday morning only during school term time. Groups generally consist of 8 riders who ride 4 at a time so we also carry out classroom/theory sessions for many groups whilst their class mates are riding.

We have over 100 volunteers the majority of whom attend once a week to assist in the classes: Coaches (RDA trained instructors), pony leaders, side walkers and administrators. Depending on ability each rider may require up to 3 people to assist. We have a team of 7 Trustees and employ a full time stable manager.

The charity is completely self-funded relying on fundraising events, donations, grants and bequests to help cover the running costs which include pony upkeep, staff salary, rent, insurances and general administrative expenses. The three largest expenses are: stable manager’s salary, rent for the stables and grazing and the upkeep of the ponies.

What skills do I need?

Volunteers enjoy working in the outdoors, love animals and will ideally have some experience of horse or pony care though this is not essential as training could be provided.

RDA is very much a team effort and good interpersonal skills are also important.

When is this role available?

	Morning	Afternoon	Evening
Monday
Tuesday
Wednesday
Thursday
Friday
Saturday
Sunday

Details

Each session is two hours, with half an hour needed before and after - therefore a maximum of three hours.

Where does this role take place?