RDA Barwon seeks support

RIDING for the Disabled Association (RDA) Barwon is gearing up for a morning tea event next month to raise awareness of its programs and thank its donors for their ongoing financial support.

Approaching its 50th anniversary, the volunteer-led program provides free therapeutic horse-riding sessions to primary school-aged children with a diverse range of disabilities.

The free morning tea will take place on Thursday, May 16 from 10am at the Wallington Park Equestrian Centre, and everyone with an interest in the RDA’s program is invited to attend.

Secretary Susan Dodson said the horse-riding sessions offered by the organisation have far-reaching benefits.

“It’s not really just about riding,” she said.

“It increases [the child’s] core strength and balance. It increases motor skills. It increases confidence and wellbeing.”

These benefits, in turn, have flow-on effects, creating long-term positive impacts on the children who participate in the program, of which there are currently 36.

“If you’ve got a more confident child…the learning outcomes will be improved [and] social engagement will be higher,” Ms Dodson said.

The organisation receives no funding from the government or the NDIS, relying instead on the generous support of the local community to maintain its program.

Yet, as the cost of living continues to rise, so too does the cost of running the program.

The only program of its kind operating in the area, demand for RDA Barwon’s service is also increasing.

Ms Dodson said while the organisation was eager to expand its program offering, it needed new donors to be able to achieve this, and encouraged any local groups interested in supporting the RDA to get in touch.

The organisation is also seeking new volunteers, with a large number required to operate the program.

“When a child first starts and they might be very tentative and very frightened, you’ll need three adults to manage that child,” Ms Dodson said.

“You’ll need one to lead the horse, and then one on each side as a ‘side walker’.

“As the child gets a bit more confident and happy, you might reduce that to just leading the horse and one ‘side walker’, but then you also have to have spotters.”

She said volunteers only need a love of animals and a love of kids to be suitable for the role, and while experience with horses is a great bonus, it is not necessary.

To find out more, head to rdav.asn.au/centre/barwon