Volunteer
It is well recognised that riding has so many benefits, physical, mental and spiritual, for either a disabled adult or child.
Become one of our helping hands!
Volunteering with an RDA group can be immensely rewarding – to see the sense of achievement on a child or adults face as they ride, perhaps for the first time or succeed at a rising trot after many weeks of trying, is truly heart warming. Or to see the smile on the face of a disabled child when they cuddle their pony. A rider can respond to the warmth and nearness of a horse by relaxing and showing a decrease in muscle spasm, and walking can often be improved by feeling and following the three dimensional movements of a horse or pony.
Volunteers are essential in every aspects of RDA life - from coaches, to fundraising, volunteers offer support in many ways and we always warmly welcome more. Whatever skills you can bring, giving your time to RDA can make such a difference and ensure that more people with disabilities can enjoy the fun and therapy of horses.
For our volunteers, it is also a chance for many to reconnect with their horsey memories, make new friends and make such a massive difference to many of our riders. It is also an opportunity to learn new skills. Get in touch!
What We Do
Riding sessions take place on a Tuesday at Chestnuts Yard in Pyecombe, just south of Brighton. And typically during term time. Each session lasts approximately 30 minutes each.
Some of the volunteer activities include:
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Preparing and brushing off the horse or pony
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Tacking up and untacking
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Preparing the school area with poles and props
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Help with mounting
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Walking alongside to support or encourage the rider
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Assisting with dismounting
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Walking and leading horse or pony
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The obligatory poop-scooping and making tea or coffee
After our sessions, there is always a great supply of biscuits and cake!
A few of the benefits:
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Opportunity to learn new skills.
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Rewarding to see the difference you can make to a disabled child or adult
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Make new friends and have fun
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Keep fit
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Opportunity to eat lots of yummy home-made cakes !
Training and Support
Mid Sussex RDA is committed to high standards of coaching, care and safety for riders, ponies and volunteers. We achieve this be ensuring:
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All volunteers are trained for the tasks they undertake.
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New volunteers are required to attend an induction and initial training session.
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RDA National offers a range of on-line courses for volunteers - for more information visit www.RDA-learning.org.uk
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RDA South East region also provides training courses, both on-line and at various locations in the south east. These are available to volunteers who wish to expand their knowledge and can be found on their training page. Click here.
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Mid Sussex RDA organises an annual, in-house training session.
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Some volunteers may also want to progress to become coaches. Full support and assistance is given to those wishing to pursue this.
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Mid Sussex RDA offers volunteers the opportunity to attend First Aid courses.
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Mid Sussex RDA's coaches are required to keep up to date with Child Protection and First Aid as part of their continuing development.
2025 Term dates
7 January to 11 February
18 February Half Term
25 February to 8 April
29 April to 20 May (May 6 no sessions)
27 May Half Term
3 June to 29nd July (June 24 no sessions)
Sessions on a Tuesday