About Us
At Riding for the Disabled Association (RDA), our horses benefit the lives of over 20,000disabled children and adults. We are volunteer led!
Become one of our helping hands
Volunteers are essential in every area of RDA life. From coaches to cake bakers, people support RDA in many different ways – and we always need more. Whatever skills you can bring, giving your time to your local RDA group will mean that more disabled people can enjoy the therapy and fun of horses.
Volunteering with RDA should be rewarding and fulfilling – and we want you to benefit from your time with us. Our award-winning program of volunteer training means it’s not just our participants who get the chance to learn and achieve their goals.
We welcome volunteers from the age of 12 and over, there is no upper age limit and we need a wide range of skills – not just with horses. RDA is a diverse organisation and we are at our best when we bring together people of all ages, backgrounds and abilities.
We’re looking forward to welcoming you to the RDA family, so why not find your nearest group today.
Check with your local RDA centre as the minimum age may vary.
----
The Group is based at Colgrain Equestrian Centre, just outside Helensburgh, on the north shore of the Clyde. We have ten group sessions per week, plus some private lessons and weekly stable management lessons. We have over fifty regular riders supported by seventy volunteers. We encourage young people to volunteer, often as part of DofE courses, Saltire Awards or other volunteer schemes. Our riders are all ages, all disabilities, from a wide surrounding area. We enter RDA Dressage competitions or musical rides, either in person or via DVD. We encourage RDA Proficiency Tests and Endeavour awards throughout. We own five ponies: Seven an ex-trekking horse, takes care of our taller riders; Luna, a youngster from Ireland, is still in training; and Hamish, our stalwart Highland, is about to retire. Bobbie, a Dales x, recently joined to take his place and Bella, a little Irish cob, is young but already good at her job. We are a busy, fun, forward-thinking group, always looking for ways to get more people involved in RDA - riding or volunteering. We have a wheelchair lift and hoist. We run entirely voluntarily but aim to be professional and forward thinking.
Group Activities:
Riding, Showjumping, Carriage Driving, Tea with a Pony
Group Operation Times:
Monday Time: Morning, Afternoon, Evening
Tuesday Time: Morning
Wednesday Time: Morning, Afternoon
Thursday Time: Morning
Friday Time: Morning, Afternoon
Group Works With:
Children & Young People (aged under 18), Adults (aged 18 or over)