How you can help

Every RDA group will be glad of any help you can offer, no prior knowledge or horses or disabilities is necessary, indeed you might prefer to offer your services in another direction such as secretarial or fundraising activities, gardening or DIY!

All the helpers, instructors and physiotherapists volunteer their services free to the Association and training is available at local, regional and national level. All that is required is enthusiasm, reliability and a willingness to work with disabled people but a word of warning - it can become addictive. As one helper said 'You come at first because you feel you ought to, but then after a few weeks when the riders know your name and look for you, and you see them beginning to improve, you come because you don't want to miss it.'

Jasmine and Ben in 2007.

Volunteers need to be at least fourteen to be covered by the RDA insurance and will be asked to complete an enrolment form and supply the relevant information for a Criminal Record Check; you will also have to attend a training evening before helping with riding sessions. At the Clwyd Special Riding Centre helpers are needed on:

Mondays	10.00 - 12.30 1.30 - 4.00 4.30 - 7.00	Hippotherapy Carriage driving Equestrian vaulting (children)
Tuesdays	10.00 - 1.15	Children riding
	1.15 - 4.45	Children & Adult riding & Hippotherapy
	4.45 - 5.45	Equestrian vaulting
	5.45 - 8.30	Adults and children riding
Wednesdays	10.0 - 12.30	Children riding, Equestrian vaulting & Adults riding
	1.00 - 4.00	Adults and children riding
	4.00 - 5.30	Equestrian vaulting
	5.30 - 8.30	Children riding
Thursdays	10.00 - 12.30	Children riding
	1.30 - 2.30	Adults and children riding
	2.30 - 3.30	Equestrian vaulting (children)

If you can only come for part of a session that can be a big help so do volunteer at the times you know you can manage.

Perhaps you cannot come through the week at all, in which case would you like to come and help on occasional special efforts like maintenance days, fund-raising events, our Christmas Fair, card making days etc. Please get in touch and we will be delighted to talk to you and hear how you would like to help us.

The following documents (which are essential for volunteers) are available for downloading (please click on the titles):

Volunteer Enrolment Form.
Criminal Records Bureau Check-list.
Volunteer Agreement.
Child, Young People and Vulnerable Adults Protection Policy.
Volunteer Policy.
Hints for Helpers.
Riding Times.

Volunteer Role Description with Riding Sessions

Role title	Riding for the Disabled Volunteer.
Areas of responsibility	You are a vital link in the team of horse, rider and instructor. Following Centre and RDA policy and health and safety guidelines. Control of pony. Safety of rider. In conjunction with the instructor, rider progression.
Responsible to	RDA instructor for your lessons. The instructor is in charge of the lesson.
Responsible for	The rider and or horse that you are working with.
Main tasks	Leading horse in lessons (with sidewalker). Rhythm and smoothness of turns. Following instructions given by class teacher. Keeping pony at a safe distance from others. Keeping pony under control. Giving rider a chance to practise their riding skills. Safety of rider. Checking horses tack prior to rider mounting. Controlling horse for mounting and dismounting. Bringing horses up and returning them to the stables. Sidewalking Communicating the instructor’s commands to the rider, simplifying if necessary. Making corrections to rider when given by instructor. Encouraging and praising rider. Using holds as directed by the instructor to help riders maintain their position. Giving information back to the instructor about the rider when required. Safety of rider. Allowing the rider to practise and show off their skills. Leading horse in lesson (without sidewalker). As above, for leading and sidewalking. Holds will not be required.
Hours	By discussion with volunteer coordinator. If you are not able to attend your session please let CSRC know as a rider may not be able to ride.
Special requirements	Sufficient physical fitness to be on your feet and walking for several hours in all weather (we do have an indoor arena!). Able to run short distances. If you have any medical conditions which may affect your volunteering please let your Instructor know and also the volunteer coordinator. A sense of humour. Patience.
Location of role.	CSRC. Occasionally at other locations to take riders to competitions.
Most challenging part of the role.	Being patient, our riders take time to progress. Remembering that you must follow the instructor’s direction. He / she is responsible for the overall safety of the ride and the rider’s progression.

Volunteer Role Description with Driving Sessions

Role title	Riding for the Disabled Volunteer.
Areas of responsibility	You are a vital link in the team of horse, rider and instructor. Following Centre and RDA policy and health and safety guidelines. Control of pony. Safety of rider. In conjunction with the AB Whip, rider progression.
Responsible to	RDA AB Whip for your lessons.
Responsible for	The driver and or horse that you are working with.
Main tasks	Harnessing up. Putting to. Holding the horse while the disabled driver is assisted into and out of the carriage. Walking out around the track to assist if there is an emergency. Unharnessing.
Hours	By discussion with volunteer coordinator. If you are not able to attend your session please let CSRC know as a driver may not be able to drive.
Special requirements	Sufficient physical fitness to be on your feet and walking for several hours in all weather. (It can be very cold even in the indoor arena!). Able to run short distances. If you have any medical conditions which may affect your volunteering please let your Instructor know and also the volunteer coordinator. A sense of humour. Patience.
Location of role.	CSRC. Occasionally at other locations to take drivers to competitions.
Most challenging part of the role.	Being patient, our drivers take time to progress. Remembering that you must follow the AB Whip's direction. He / she is responsible for the overall safety of the session and the driver's progression.

Volunteer Role Description with Vaulting Sessions

Role title	Riding for the Disabled Volunteer.
Areas of responsibility	You are a vital link in the team of horse, vaulter and instructor / coach. Following Centre and RDA policy and health and safety guidelines. Control of pony. Safety of vaulter. In conjunction with the coach, vaulter progression.
Responsible to	RDA coach for your lessons. The coach is in charge of the lesson.
Responsible for	The vaulters and or horse that you are working with, following health & safety guidelines and rules in order to promote safety.
Main tasks	Assisting the vaulting coach in all aspects of the vaulting training. Guiding vaulters through warm ups, gymnastic exercises, barrel work and rhythm work. Keeping vaulters safe and aware of the horse at all times. Under the direct guidance of the coach you may be asked to assist with the vaulter’s work on the horse.
Hours	By discussion with volunteer coordinator. If you are not able to attend your session please let CSRC know as a vaulter may not be able to vault.
Special requirements	Sufficient physical fitness to be on your feet and walking for several hours in all weather (we do have an indoor arena!). Able to run short distances. If you have any medical conditions which may affect your volunteering please let your Instructor know and also the volunteer coordinator. A sense of humour. Patience.
Location of role.	CSRC. Occasionally at other locations to take vaulters to competitions.
Most challenging part of the role.	Being patient, our vaulters take time to progress. Remembering that you must follow the coach's direction. He / she is responsible for the overall safety of the session and the vaulter's progression.

Day Organiser Role Description

Role title	Day Organiser.
Areas of responsibility	You are a vital link in the team of horse, rider and instructor. Following CSRC and RDA policy and health and safety guidelines. Control of pony. Safety of rider. In conjunction with the instructor, rider progression.
Responsible to	Group Organiser or Group Chairman.
Responsible for	The smooth running of the rides in your session. Following Centre and RDA Health and Safety Policy.
Main tasks	Disseminating information to volunteers, riders and instructors in your session about training and events. Informing the office if riders, volunteers or instructors are intending to participate in training and events. Finding out which volunteers are attending your next session. Checking with the office who is riding that day. Completing the horses' work sheets. Completing the rider’s attendance tick sheet and taking their payment. Keeping your basket tidy! Informing the office of any changes to your riders or any problems with the session.
Hours	By discussion with Volunteer Coordinator. If you are not able to attend your session please let CSRC know.
Special requirements	Sufficient physical fitness to be on your feet in sometimes cold weather, for several hours.
Location of role	CSRC.

Supporter Role Description

Role title	Supporter of Clwyd Special Riding Centre.
Areas of responsibility	Following Centre Health and Safety Policy. Presenting a "public face" of the Centre.
Responsible to	The organiser of the fund raising event that you are assisting with.
Responsible for	Helping to raise as much money as possible! This work is as vital to the Centre as assisting with riding is. We appreciate your support.
Main Tasks	These will be dependent on the fund raising event that you are assisting with. Examples of tasks might be: Preparing for the Christmas Fayre and running a stall. Bag-packing at Marks and Spencer. Assisting with the running of a Charity Ball. Selling raffle tickets. Having ideas for and organising fund raising events.
Hours	By discussion with the person organising the fund raising event that you are assisting with.
Special requirements	A sense of fun. Good ideas. Flexibility and to be prepared to be called when your support is needed.
Location of role	Anywhere in local area.

Maintenance Volunteer Role Description

Role title	Maintenance Volunteer.
Areas of responsibility	Their own work. Following Health and Safety Policy at the Centre.
Responsible to	Centre Manager.
Responsible for	Working with the Centre Manager to maintain the facilities at CSRC.
Main Tasks	Simple maintenance and "DIY" type tasks. This role is not intended to replace the tasks that should be done by specialist contractors such as fencing, electrical work and building work. Examples of tasks that might be needed are painting, tiling, strimming and repairing gutters.
Hours	By discussion with the Volunteer Coordinator.
Special requirements	Sufficient physical fitness to complete the main tasks in all weather.
Location of role	CSRC.

Administrative Volunteer Role Description

Role title	Administrative Volunteer.
Areas of responsibility	Their own work. Following Health and Safety Policy at the Centre.
Responsible to	Office Administrator.
Responsible for	Working with the Office Administrator to ensure the smooth running of the office.
Main Tasks	Answering phones. Preparation of posters, promotional material, other material or web-site development. Book-keeping. Filing. Database maintenance. Keeping us all organised and tidy!!!
Hours	By discussion with the Volunteer Coordinator.
Special requirements	Sufficient physical fitness to complete the main tasks.
Location of role	CSRC.