neelie OAP
Well-Known Member
But not having a actual welfare centre, your area welfare officers who are all volunteers can only advise, sorry but thats just a fact !
Are you or have you ever been a BHS member? Why or why not?
- Thread starter HHO admin
- Start date
But not having a actual welfare centre, your area welfare officers who are all volunteers can only advise, sorry but thats just a fact !
AmyMay
Situation normal
Thankfully they are able to do more than that - as evidenced on this forum several times.
Norfolk Pie
Well-Known Member
Thank you for your reply, I will be in touch as would like to take up your offer to discuss my experiences.
However, your office really do nothing to go up in my opinion when I received this letter this morning:
BHS Register of Instructors and First Aid
One of the requirements of your membership on the BHS register of instructors is to keep your first aid current.
According to our records this is unfortunately now out of date as it expired on 24th May 2013 and as it is a requirement your status on the register has become inactive. In addition, if you have freelance instructor insurance through the register, minder the requirements from the insurance company this insurance will not be valid until you First Aid is brought up to date.
If you believe our records to be incorrect please contact our training team ASAP etc. If you have attend a refresher course then we will please need to see a copy of your certificate in order to update your record.
We accept blah blah blah
If you are having difficulty in finding a First Aid course, again, please contact us so we can help you
The simple fact is, BHS, you really aren't much help!!
1) every time my First Aid expires I call you, and you confirm (every time) that I have a months grace, as per HSE First Aid regulations. So why on earth are you now making my register of instructors entry (a considerable joining fee, every year, for several years) inactive after 5 days, when this is not the regulations? FYI I completed a 2 day this week, so it's irrelevant in any case, and will be sending you the cert when it arrives.
2) I've had long conversations with you this year because you oh so cleverly put the only f.o.c ITT training day in our neck of the woods on the same day as the Equine Specific First Aid refresher I was going too, again the only one less than a 2 hour drive. As I'd not bothered to go to my local First Aid training course (5mins away) because I thought the equine specific one would be a) more relevant and b) was only one day, rather than 2, I wasn't best pleased.
Hardly sensible planning to host 2 things on the same day, giving there's never anything of use to instructors anyway. Your office then told me you couldn't help me with finding anything that wasn't on your website, so what on earth's the point in me calling you?!
3) To add insult to injury, you managed to wipe me (& about a million others) off the register when you swapped your website over - I only got reinstated when I happened to check I was on there, found I wasn't and contacted your office. I haven't received a refund for the 3 months that I was "unpublicised" , not to mention the fact people may well think I was falsely claiming to be on the register. Why on earth wasn't there a note put on the website telling people that you had lost data in the transfer, and encouraging them to call and check.
Really not impressed with you this morning, and will continue to look into other qualifications to add to my CV that perhaps have more up to date horsemanship and assessment procedures, along with hopefully finding an organisation that actually works for its members, especially those who promote its name and encourage other people to get involved!!
However, your office really do nothing to go up in my opinion when I received this letter this morning:
BHS Register of Instructors and First Aid
One of the requirements of your membership on the BHS register of instructors is to keep your first aid current.
According to our records this is unfortunately now out of date as it expired on 24th May 2013 and as it is a requirement your status on the register has become inactive. In addition, if you have freelance instructor insurance through the register, minder the requirements from the insurance company this insurance will not be valid until you First Aid is brought up to date.
If you believe our records to be incorrect please contact our training team ASAP etc. If you have attend a refresher course then we will please need to see a copy of your certificate in order to update your record.
We accept blah blah blah
If you are having difficulty in finding a First Aid course, again, please contact us so we can help you
The simple fact is, BHS, you really aren't much help!!
1) every time my First Aid expires I call you, and you confirm (every time) that I have a months grace, as per HSE First Aid regulations. So why on earth are you now making my register of instructors entry (a considerable joining fee, every year, for several years) inactive after 5 days, when this is not the regulations? FYI I completed a 2 day this week, so it's irrelevant in any case, and will be sending you the cert when it arrives.
2) I've had long conversations with you this year because you oh so cleverly put the only f.o.c ITT training day in our neck of the woods on the same day as the Equine Specific First Aid refresher I was going too, again the only one less than a 2 hour drive. As I'd not bothered to go to my local First Aid training course (5mins away) because I thought the equine specific one would be a) more relevant and b) was only one day, rather than 2, I wasn't best pleased.
Hardly sensible planning to host 2 things on the same day, giving there's never anything of use to instructors anyway. Your office then told me you couldn't help me with finding anything that wasn't on your website, so what on earth's the point in me calling you?!
3) To add insult to injury, you managed to wipe me (& about a million others) off the register when you swapped your website over - I only got reinstated when I happened to check I was on there, found I wasn't and contacted your office. I haven't received a refund for the 3 months that I was "unpublicised" , not to mention the fact people may well think I was falsely claiming to be on the register. Why on earth wasn't there a note put on the website telling people that you had lost data in the transfer, and encouraging them to call and check.
Really not impressed with you this morning, and will continue to look into other qualifications to add to my CV that perhaps have more up to date horsemanship and assessment procedures, along with hopefully finding an organisation that actually works for its members, especially those who promote its name and encourage other people to get involved!!
ruth83
Well-Known Member
Norfolk Pie - My response is in no way official, purely linked to my experience of the register.
1) If you contact the register they will probably still allow your 1 months grace and your insurance is probably still valid for this time HOWEVER - if they publicise this too widely there will be a lot of people taking the mickey and wanting 2, 3 or 6 months grace! Also, would you prefer they leave it until your one months grace is up and simply contact you to tell you that you are no longer insured at all? It is OUR responsibility as instructors to check we are up to date (as it is for people in general to keep passports, driving licences etc up to date), but personally I appreciate that The BHS notify me when I am cutting it close.
2) How often are there 2 things on the TV at the same time you want to watch? This is life. Things have to be organised not only to suit the attending people but to accomodate when the centres have space to run and when the trainers are available. There will be other courses available - contact your local DO and let them know what you are interested in. The BHS have actively asked for feedback - constructive criticism would be helpful.
3) As a registered instructor I recall recieving at least 3 communications (I believe they were emails but one may have been a letter) warning me that some information was likely to be lost when switching to the new website system and actively encouraging me to check that my information was still there and up to date. If people have a concern about you being on the register, you should have paperwork with your most recent update to be able to reassure them.
1) If you contact the register they will probably still allow your 1 months grace and your insurance is probably still valid for this time HOWEVER - if they publicise this too widely there will be a lot of people taking the mickey and wanting 2, 3 or 6 months grace! Also, would you prefer they leave it until your one months grace is up and simply contact you to tell you that you are no longer insured at all? It is OUR responsibility as instructors to check we are up to date (as it is for people in general to keep passports, driving licences etc up to date), but personally I appreciate that The BHS notify me when I am cutting it close.
2) How often are there 2 things on the TV at the same time you want to watch? This is life. Things have to be organised not only to suit the attending people but to accomodate when the centres have space to run and when the trainers are available. There will be other courses available - contact your local DO and let them know what you are interested in. The BHS have actively asked for feedback - constructive criticism would be helpful.
3) As a registered instructor I recall recieving at least 3 communications (I believe they were emails but one may have been a letter) warning me that some information was likely to be lost when switching to the new website system and actively encouraging me to check that my information was still there and up to date. If people have a concern about you being on the register, you should have paperwork with your most recent update to be able to reassure them.
Norfolk Pie
Well-Known Member
Thanks Ruth - I do agree with your points, and I have already contacted the OP with various constructive comments. I'm perfectly happy, and appreciative, of them contacting e to tell me it is due to expire. My point today was the 1 months grace is (from my understanding) an official part of the HSE first aid at work, so to suggest my insurance is now invalid is not really acceptable - if I hadn't been aware of this, and had not already done a refresher, there's every chance I would have cancelled all my lessons is weekend, until I was able to speak to them on Monday - it doesn't come across as a very professional way to run something - a first aid cert is valid for 30 days after the "update" date.
I agree things will clash - but there are only 4 BHS training events in East of England in June - 2 ITT days, 1 lecture series and a first aid course, so communication between organisers (I gather some are run by local committees, and some by HO) would probably have been helpful? It doesn't really matter, but again, it's a bit shabby and limits what I feel the BHS is actually offering. Bear in mind that the two things running on the same day are both aimed at BHS reg instructors, in the same area.
Unfortunately I've received no communication regarding the loss of information - if I had I would have been quicker to notice it. In fairness, The fact that you did goes someway to suggesting an effort was made. Again, it doesn't matter, yes of course I can prove it, but potentially people unknown to me may have queried it, and, yet again, it's not very professional.
But thank you for your comments, and I do understand what you are saying
I agree things will clash - but there are only 4 BHS training events in East of England in June - 2 ITT days, 1 lecture series and a first aid course, so communication between organisers (I gather some are run by local committees, and some by HO) would probably have been helpful? It doesn't really matter, but again, it's a bit shabby and limits what I feel the BHS is actually offering. Bear in mind that the two things running on the same day are both aimed at BHS reg instructors, in the same area.
Unfortunately I've received no communication regarding the loss of information - if I had I would have been quicker to notice it. In fairness, The fact that you did goes someway to suggesting an effort was made. Again, it doesn't matter, yes of course I can prove it, but potentially people unknown to me may have queried it, and, yet again, it's not very professional.
But thank you for your comments, and I do understand what you are saying
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ruth83
Well-Known Member
I appreciate that people want to avoid travelling too far for training, however, to put things in perspective...
Due to the level I am now training towards (I need to achieve the Senior Equitation certificate to complete my BHSI qualification) I need to travel a minimum of 80 miles each way for structured training. That is across country travel so it takes around 2 hours each way.
One of the things I enjoy about travelling further is that I meet a wider range of people who, in turn, have a wider range of experiences which I can draw from and a wider range of potantial contacts. I include in this the people I am training alongside as well as those who I receive the training from.
Due to the level I am now training towards (I need to achieve the Senior Equitation certificate to complete my BHSI qualification) I need to travel a minimum of 80 miles each way for structured training. That is across country travel so it takes around 2 hours each way.
One of the things I enjoy about travelling further is that I meet a wider range of people who, in turn, have a wider range of experiences which I can draw from and a wider range of potantial contacts. I include in this the people I am training alongside as well as those who I receive the training from.
Ditchjumper2
Well-Known Member
I treid to renew mine when I got home from work on Friday......but office closed at 3. So I thought I would do it online. But it won't let me. Its says I am no longer a member, so i try to join as a new memeber but it recognises my email address and states I already am one...then it takes me to members only area...where it states...I am no longer a member.
Having tried this 3 times and in my husbands name ....I gave up. If it was a true business it would never survive.
Having tried this 3 times and in my husbands name ....I gave up. If it was a true business it would never survive.
The Fuzzy Furry
Old Timer
Well done for your correction amymay
OP, can I suggest you chat to the BHS Welfare dept?
They will be able to confirm what welfare officers can do & not do, but to state publicly 'can only advise' does not help, when there are many field officers out there doing a very good (unsung & unpaid) job.neelie OAP
Well-Known Member
Well done for your correction amymay
OP, can I suggest you chat to the BHS Welfare dept?
Yes but as you rightly say, all these welfare officers are unpaid volunteers, its them that do all the work, like the rest of the committee's all volunteers,yes ok they may be able to claim a little towards their fuel, but other than that they get nothing for their trouble, they have no powers, no welfare centre, so thats now really all they can do is advise as best they can, some of course do do a very good job and try to make a difference, but thats more because its how they are as a person, not the BHS sorry !
The Fuzzy Furry
Old Timer
Yes, all field officers are (trained) volunteers - just like the ones from WHW.
Yes, there is no single BHS welfare centre, but plenty of various regional centres across the country & all WILL work together as has been proven time & time again
However, you do need to take on board my previous comment & I'll confirm it again: BHS & WHW officers have as much powers as the RSPCA do, if you need confirmation from 'the horses mouth', can I suggest you contact the BHS (as I suggested previously to you in an earlier post)
neelie OAP
Well-Known Member
Yes, all field officers are (trained) volunteers - just like the ones from WHW.
Yes, there is no single BHS welfare centre, but plenty of various regional centres across the country & all WILL work together as has been proven time & time again
However, you do need to take on board my previous comment & I'll confirm it again: BHS & WHW officers have as much powers as the RSPCA do, if you need confirmation from 'the horses mouth', can I suggest you contact the BHS (as I suggested previously to you in an earlier post)
yes I agree with you there, they have the same powers, BUT they are not permitted to enter premisies without permission, unless with the company of a police officer, or remove any animal without the vets agreement, but unlike both WHW who do a brilliant job and the RSPCA they do have centre's to actually take in these cases, where as BHS have not any more, which is a great shame as they did when I was a regional welfare officer years ago !
The Fuzzy Furry
Old Timer
<sigh>
The RSPCA & WHW cannot enter premises either.... the BHS has access to many different centres across the UK....
< banging head on keyboard here
>I think that ANY trained welfare officer in any of the relevant societies & charities is to be applauded, well done those who are
Can I suggest if you want to do a BHS welfare bashing thread, then you start one up?
neelie OAP
Well-Known Member
<sigh>
The RSPCA & WHW cannot enter premises either.... the BHS has access to many different centres across the UK....
< banging head on keyboard here
I think that ANY trained welfare officer in any of the relevant societies & charities is to be applauded, well done those who are
Can I suggest if you want to do a BHS welfare bashing thread, then you start one up?
You asked for comments but hey have a nice day
scotty1
New User
I'm no longer sure what the BHS offers - the value of going to a 'BHS' approved riding school no longer has the kudos it once had. Training is invariably by a young BHSAI, the approach is pull, kick and quick fix. Attaining a good seat, acquiring feel and respect for the pony/horse has gone out of the window as schools chase the need for this society's 'must have' - everything has to be instantaneous, including the ability to ride a horse.
Spotsrock
Well-Known Member
Gold member for the insurance only I'm afraid
Mare Stare
Well-Known Member
Gold member initially for exams (still ongoing, 7 years later, because I keep forgetting to actually book a place on one) and now insurance.
I love your legal helpline too. They have helped me on a few occasions.
I find the exams very expensive. I know that they are probably that expensive for a reason but I wish there was a way I could pay in installments, or at least pay a deposit to get the date I want and pay the balance on the day or a few weeks beforehand.
I quite enjoy the magazine and I've always found you are very approachable and helpful organisation.
And I love the fact that I can pay monthly by DD now.
I love your legal helpline too. They have helped me on a few occasions.
I find the exams very expensive. I know that they are probably that expensive for a reason but I wish there was a way I could pay in installments, or at least pay a deposit to get the date I want and pay the balance on the day or a few weeks beforehand.
I quite enjoy the magazine and I've always found you are very approachable and helpful organisation.
And I love the fact that I can pay monthly by DD now.