Our Volunteers
Volunteers help in many ways: getting horses ready for the clients to ride, helping during their time on the horses and general maintenance of fences, fields, shelters and stables around the RDA site. You can now also volunteer under the Duke of Edinburgh Award Scheme as we are an Approved Activity Provider. Contact us to find out more about volunteering.
Become a volunteer
Are you looking for a new challenge?
Could you give some time (from a couple of hours a week to more) helping with events, fundraising or helping us during our sessions? If you could spare some time, however little, please contact us to find out how you can make a huge difference to children and adults with disabilities.
We are a friendly group of trustees, coaches and volunteers, who want to enable both children and adults to experience the joy of riding. Riding helps promote confidence, balance, suppleness and also encourages social interaction, as well as giving huge pleasure to both riders and volunteers.
Volunteer Case Study - Barbara
Hi I’m Barbara,
I have been a volunteer at RDA Rossington for 15 years now and have loved every minute of it! Granted, we volunteer in all weathers, but spirits are always high and I have gained many good friends.
It is a brilliant feeling to see how much pleasure our riders get from the experience and also how much confidence they gain from regular lessons.
I feel privileged to be a part of such a wonderful organisation.
Barbara Senior – volunteer
Frequently Asked Questions
No, as full training will be given, but any experience you currently do have will definitely help.
We have online e-learning, via the myRda site at myrda.org.uk which is designed to backup practical learning.
You will be carefully guided through individual training steps and not overloaded with too much information in one go! There is always at least one coach available and other volunteers and checks are always made to ensure safety.
And the online e-learning platform is always available at myrda.org.uk
We do ask for a volunteer to commit to one day a week (either an afternoon or evening schedule) of about 4 hours. This enables proper planning for our clients and the horses that might be needed. Some volunteers also opt to be contacted for one-off cover (such as holidays, illness, etc.)
We have an indoor arena, where the horses are initially warmed up and is also used for indoor sessions
We have several outdoor hacking routes which, weather permitting, we will also use.
Inside the arena we have a staff area with chairs, tea and coffee making facilities and toilets nearby.
Depending on your schedule, most volunteers bring a packed lunch or snacks. We do have a small area with a kettle with tea making facilities.
Ideally our volunteers will be aged 14 and over, though some groups may consider younger at their discretion.
Monday: 12 – 6pm
Tuesday – Thursday: 10.30am – 7pm
Friday: 10am – 3pm
Volunteers bring horses from their fields, then groomed, and tacked up in time for the clients’ arrival. During the client’s time on the horse a volunteer could be leading the horse, or helping the client’s confidence by walking by the horse’s side. Horses are untacked and taken back to their fields. General tidying up, field duties, tack cleaning…… the list is endless…!
All volunteers over the age of 16 will need to complete a DBS disclosure check. This is paid for by the RDA.
Let us know of any impending holidays and we will adjust the rota schedules.
Sturdy footwear, and clothes that will withstand the work and the environment (we work both inside and outside) so layers and a waterproof is advisable. We don’t cancel lessons unless the weather is extremely bad!
Yes, there is a large free car park outside the indoor arena.
Yes, all RDA groups have trustee indemnity public liability and volunteers have personal accident insurance. This will be discussed at your initial session.
Yes, we run term-time sessions and then have a different timetable of activities during the holidays.
- HOLD a fundraising event to raise funds for RDA
- BUY tickets for our events
- DONATE, either money or prizes for our raffles and tombolas
- SPONSOR one of our ponies – Click Here for more details
- SUPPORT our fundraising events
- ENTER one of our events
- DONATE any unwanted tack or rugs