WHAT WE DOALL ABOUT RDA

LEARN ABOUT US

www.rda.org.uk

At RDA, our horses and ponies bring about meaningful and lasting change to children and adults all over the UK

RDA: the ‘can do’ organisation

WHO WE HELP We work with children and adults of all ages and abilities, helping people to achieve their goals, whatever they may be – from sitting up straight, to standing on a podium at the Paralympics.

Many people are referred to RDA by a medical professional, while others simply want to be able to enjoy riding and carriage driving in an environment they find supportive and welcoming.Where we have the facilities, capacity, and suitable horses, we try to help anyone who feels our activities are right for them.

ALL ABOUT HORSESFor almost 50 years, we have been developing and enhancing our understanding of the therapeutic benefits of horses. Not just the physical therapy that riding brings, but also the life-affirming relationship between horses and people.

Our horses and ponies open up a world of possibilities – in sport, friendships, education,

The thousands of horses and ponies that work for RDA provide life-changing therapy and offer

opportunities for riders and carriage drivers to achieve amazing things.

Our horses’ ability to unlock potential and reveal what individuals can do is central to everything that happens at RDA.

Supported by qualified and experienced coaches, and teams of dedicated volunteers, our riders and carriage drivers benefit from the activity, challenges and fun that horses bring.

RDA relies on voluntary help and donations to carry out our work, and thanks to the commitment of our volunteers and

the generosity of our supporters we help around 28,000 adults and children all over the UK.

RDA helps 28,000 disabled children and adults all over the UK

28,0003,250RDA has over 3,250 horses

my Pendleton was born prematurely and eventually diagnosed with Global Developmental Delay and Sensory

Processing Disorder, as well as serious core muscle weakness. While other children her age were running about, jumping, and playing freely, she was still falling over all the time and could only walk very short distances before getting tired. At school, she stays inside with a playmate while other children go out to play. She started with RDA last year.

Since riding with RDA, Amy is catching up with her peers at school and making the

most amazing progress in all areas. Her balance has improved; she is SO much stronger, can now walk longer distances and is learning how to walk up and down stairs safely. She is now more stable when playing with other children so hopefully sometime soon she’ll be able to join her friends outside in the playground.

The movement and repetitive impact of riding a horse is effectively teaching her brain to listen to her body. So in everyday activities she is now more able to feel things with her hands so she can, for example, hold a pencil and learn to draw and write, or hold cutlery and feed herself.

The opportunity for Amy to ride with RDA has helped to transform our lives from daily worry to daily hope for the future and excitement about what she’ll be able to do.

Amy’s Story

life skills and more. They are non-judgemental, patient and loyal. And, as anyone who has visited an RDA group will have seen, they create moments of sheer joy; a weekly lifting of the spirits that can make all the difference in the world.

WHY IT WORKS RDA is good for so many people in so many ways. Physically, the warmth and movement of the horse relaxes and strengthens core muscles – vital for everyday activities like balance, standing up, sitting up and walking. We also help adults and children with learning difficulties and autism. Our coaches are renowned for their high level of skill and specialist knowledge, delivering lessons that reflect each individual’s needs, aspirations and therapeutic goals.

And, what’s more... it’s FUN!Let’s not forget that riding and carriage driving

are fun! RDA is a friendly, welcoming place where

people of all ages and abilities can enjoy a love of

horses and make friends for life!

RDA has over 19,000 dedicated volunteers fulfilling all kinds of roles

There are 500 RDA groups in the UK

19,000 5005,000

5,000 Endeavour Awards are presented to riders and drivers each year

The RDA National Championships is the biggest event of its kind in the world

A

SARAH PENDLETON, AMY’S MUM

Visit our website www.rda.org.uk Email us at info@rda.org.uk

RDA National Office 01926 492915

Can you help? Here’s how to contact us

RDA, Norfolk House, 1a Tournament Court, Edgehill

Drive, Warwick CV 34 6LG RDA is a charity registered in

England and Wales (no. 244108) and Scotland (no. SCO39473)

RDA PRESIDENT HRH THE PRINCESS ROYAL

The RDA continues to develop innovative ways to encourage people into the sport

and to reach their goals, be they therapeutic, competitive, or simply to have fun...

But, don’t just take our word for it...

With an outstanding blend of professionalism,

knowledge and kindness, RDA reconnected me to riding with a weekly lesson. Initially it took a very patient horse and several even more patient volunteers to get me into the saddle… nonetheless, to achieve this left me elated and filled with renewed hope in myself.

RDA has helped me massively. As well as

blindness, I have a condition that causes quickened muscle wastage and balance/coordination issues. Riding is the best thing in the world. There is speed, adrenaline, and with dressage – accuracy. That I can actually control something and be accurate makes me feel so alive. It feels like I have wings...

When we say – it’s what you can do that

counts – we really mean it... SAM ORDE, RDA CHAIRMAN

JUAN GREGGOR, RIDER

JULIE ASHBY, RIDER

MEASURING THE DIFFERENCE WE MAKEWe use the RDA Tracker to measure the difference RDA makes. We know that we have a positive impact when it comes to physical change, communication, relationship building and confidence. Our riders and drivers demonstrate significant improvement in these areas in as little as six weeks.

HELP RDA NEAR YOU There are RDA groups all over the UK. They are all individual charities, relying on voluntary help and donations to carry out their life-changing work. You could support your local group by donating money or giving your time – so that more people in your community can benefit. Find your nearest group at www.rda.org.uk

WHAT THEY SAY...

Design & production: amelia.clark01@gmail.com, 07813 774813