Riding for Disabled Barwon seeking volunteers

RIDING for the Disabled Association (RDA) Barwon is calling out for volunteers to assist providing children with disabilities the chance to enjoy horse-riding in a controlled and safe environment.

The volunteer-led program, which was founded in 1976, provides free horse-riding and associated activities for therapeutic recreation for children from 5 to 18 -years-old.

The service assists children with developing focus, core strength, muscle tone, balance, cognitive and speech development as well as social interaction.

Having recently announced a change in location to the prestigious Wallington Park Equestrian Centre, the team at RDA Barwon are looking for members of the community to help out with sessions run on Thursday and Friday mornings during the school terms.

To assist with driving numbers up from a volunteer standpoint, two training mornings will be run at the centre, on both February 17 and February 24.

Volunteer director Susan Dodson said anyone who is of fair health and happy to run besides horses from time to time are invited to come forward.

“We are going into our 45th year in 2023 and a lot of our volunteers continue just loving working with the kids and the horses,” she said.

“Kids seem to love being on the horses, and the program provides such a positive environment.

“A lot of our volunteers are retirees, so it’s a nice social connection and a reason to get out of the house and help.

“We have about 45 volunteers on the books and are just trying to attract as many as possible.

“This year, we have to get the horses into the paddocks themselves and tap them up, so with that horsemanship we definitely are looking for more people to help out.

“Everyone is welcome.”

RDA Barwon acknowledges the financial support of the Give Where You Live Foundation, the Geelong Community Foundation, the Ocean Grove Rotary Club and various other smaller groups who continue to provide to their service.

To get involved, head to https://www.rdav.asn.au/centre/barwon/