At Kettering Riding for the Disabled we have around 36 volunteers and operate during school term-time on Wednesday and Thursday
mornings. We provide riding lessons for approximately 50 children from five Special Schools in Northamptonshire - Isebrook, Kingsley, Maplefields, Northgate and Wren Spinney.
The riding lessons are taken by an RDA approved instructor and each rider, depending upon their abilities, has up to three helpers, including a leader for the pony. In addition, every other year we take a group of children from one of the Schools on holiday to the Clwyd Special Riding Centre in Wales.
We own three ponies which are kept at a livery yard in Lowick, near Thrapston, where we hold our riding sessions. Our expenses are considerable and so we have to hold regular fund-raising events. We are therefore fortunate to have some very generous supporters who make regular donations to our Group.
Riding is educational, therapeutic, recreational and FUN! The aim of RDA is to provide disabled people with the opportunity to ride or drive to benefit their health and well-being. Riding can be particularly beneficial to pupils who have profound and multiple learning difficulties as it provides multi-sensory experience. It can help with communication and social skills, build confidence and awareness of others, and it is FUN!
We are always looking for new volunteers. Do not be put off by the ponies - no experience is necessary and we provide full training to anyone willing to lend a hand. There are always plenty of jobs to do and without the volunteers the RDA riding sessions for the children would NOT happen! You can come once a week, fortnightly, monthly or whenever you can manage.
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