Forres, Nairn and District Riding for the Disabled volunteers provided hundreds of assisted pony rides in 2023
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A LOCAL charity reflected on another 365 days of volunteer work during a recent AGM at the Tolbooth.
Forres, Nairn and District Riding for the Disabled (RDA) looked back on their service to the community in 2023, which included hundreds, and hundreds of assisted pony rides.
Outgoing chairwoman Sonia Howell confirmed RDA plays a significant role in the lives of many local children.
She said: “In the 12 months to April 2023, 61 children participated, so if each child riding one day is a session, we had 719 sessions! Demand is far higher than we can meet - we could probably run four or five days-a-week if we had the funds and the volunteers.”
RDA delivers weekly term-time therapeutic riding sessions for children with disabilities from local primary and secondary schools. Qualified instructors accompany attendees on well-trained ponies. Their progress is monitored and reflected in a certificate at the end of the school year.
Volunteers act as leaders for the ponies, side-walkers and fundraisers. Incoming chairwoman, Emma Gregg, confirmed 19 new volunteers joined the group this year.
She said: “We spread joy, happiness and pony magic. We see the smiles on the children’s faces every Monday morning and hear the happy noises as they get back on the bus. There is also a significant ripple effect for families and friends.”
Comments from parents with children who attend riding sessions include: ‘He just loves his riding and if he’s happy, we’re happy too’; ‘My son loves Mondays now, smiling all the way to school knowing he’s going riding’; ‘I can bring him and not have to make any excuses for his behaviour because you understand him. You don’t judge us and I can relax.’
The group has launched Tea With a Pony – grooming sessions designed for those with dementia or other cognitive impairment.
“Participants spend time interacting with the ponies then have tea and cake,” said Ms Gregg. “Seeing the smiles and expression on the ladies’ faces as they wield their brushes is special.”
The AGM attendees remembered a grand-daughter used to seeing her granny sitting silently on the couch and not engaging with anyone, being thrilled to see her chatting away, smiling and grooming like an expert.
The local group is one of few in the UK to not charge riders or the schools, despite each session costing just under £700 per week. Forres RDA covers its expenditure through active fundraising.
For further information visit https://forresnairnrda.org.uk/
