Volunteering with the RDA

[sally87]

hi

when i get out of hospital i am going to have some free time on my hands! i have been told i wont be able to ride straight away (due to the risk if i fell off) but am allowed to be around horses. i have thought that volunteering with the RDA would be a fun & useful way of spending the time around what should be sane horses! i helped out with the RDA when i was about 11 on an informal capacity but that was 12 years ago so things might have changed since then. the otley & district branch work from a riding school near where i live so i thought i might get in touch with them

just wondered about what other people's experiences of RDA volunteering are, what is typically expected of a volunteer & any helpful advice?

thanks!

Sally

 

[Starzaan]

I have volunteered at and trained horses for the Cotswold RDA for the last eleven years, and have taught for the last four.

I ADORE it, to the point where I'm currently setting up my own yard specialising in training horses for RDA work, and offering an acceleration programme for RDA riders.

14 yrs: You can outwalk (support a rider whilst mounted by walking beside them, possibly hand on knee)

16 yrs: You can lead horses with riders mounted

You will need a clear CRB check, and a sense of humour. You must be ok to be dribbled on, bitten, snotted over and punched occasionally, and you must have tissues on you at all times for the tearful breakthrough moments that make you sob with joy.

I'm happy to explain anything, and give you more info if you'd like! Have just got back from our annual week long trip with four riders to Clwyd Special Riding Centre, where our kids ride outside unled for the first time in total safety, and get two hours riding a day (I have no voice from so much laughing whilst teaching them!)

 

[TheEquineOak]

I absolutely loved volunterering for the RDA.

I went up, filled an application form in and was in there the day after (I had a current CRB, you will need one)

You may also get to play with the horses. We were able to hack out and school them.

It is very rewarding, go for it!!

 

[alainax]

I loved it. They were all lovely and didnt expect anything really - just as much as you were willing to offer

 

[YorksG]

Sister and I have been involved with a local group for over 20 years, sister is on the committe. It is adictive and in our case our non horsey late Mum became very involved too. She used to do a lot of fund raising with Dad and ran a coffee stall for the riders parents.
We have made a lot of friends over the years and it has led to involvement in all sorts of other things (local shows, hunter trials etc.)
Agree with Starzan, she has just about summed it up

 

[sally87]

You will need a clear CRB check, and a sense of humour. You must be ok to be dribbled on, bitten, snotted over and punched occasionally, and you must have tissues on you at all times for the tearful breakthrough moments that make you sob with joy.

i have worked with SN children in other jobs so am fully used to these events! i think RDA must have changed a bit since i volunteered last as i was only 11 & was leading the horses!

it sounds brilliant & i am really pleased i have found something productive & worthwhile which i will hopefully be able to do with my time. i have had CRB checks done for my uni & other jobs but dont know if they will be able to use these or if i will need a new one doing. i have emailed my local branch to ask.

yorksG- what branch do you help out at? i am also based in w. yorks

thanks for all your replies, it sounds really fulfilling & i think i will really enjoy it

Sally

 

[starsnrunes]

I used to when I was younger and loved it...with the exception of wanting to kill the RI. But the kids were loverly.

However me and the YO keep saying that while we'd love the RDA back (i'm planning on doing the RDA instructors day course when i have my BHS) we'd just like the kids and not the parents as they can be a bit much at times (think pushy parents x10)

 

[guisbrogal]

I was an instructor with the Teesside group for 5yrs and loved it!

Definitely worth getting involved with and they always appreciate your help.

 

[EPRider]

Definitely go for it. RDA volunteering has been of great benefit to me for the past 17 years.

 

[LittleMac]

I helped with RDA a few years ago. Overall, it was really rewarding and seeing the kids progressing and enjoying something they probably wouldn't have otherwise had the opportunity to was lovely. My only gripe was the instructor. She was snappy towards the volunteers, and sometimes towards the kids too. I felt that it was entirely inappropriate to become impatient with them and irritated when they didn't understand something or pick it up immediately, especially as the children I helped had learning disabilities as opposed to physical ones. As a result I felt pretty rubbish by the end of most sessions, and managed to last until the winter before deciding enough was enough. Everyone involved needs to realise that people are giving up their time for free - RDA volunteer being the key thing here, and that if they aren't treated right, they have no reason (other than out of kindness/goodness of their heart) to stay. Also looks great on your CV (and can be talked up very well in interviews)! Good luck
ETA: I had just had a criminal record check done for a job, but had to get a new one. According to they lady, if I then moved RDA branch they'd need another one, but this was in Scotland where they use Disclosure Scotland so it may be different where you are.