RIDING for the Disabled Bendigo is calling for more volunteers as it aims to return to its usual program.<\/p>\n
The not-for-profit organisation has been operating in Mandurang South for over 40 years, providing therapeutic, developmental and social benefits for riders of all ages.<\/p>\n
Coach and ride coordinator Jan King said the coronavirus pandemic has impacted the operation of RDA Bendigo, which couldn\u2019t operate at all last year since March.<\/p>\n
\u201cCOVID has put paid to all our volunteers,\u201d she said. \u201cSome of them have gone north, some have gone home to New Zealand, we had quite a few retire last year.<\/p>\n
\u201cComing back, we\u2019ve found we\u2019ve got a few permanent volunteers and we have a few TAFE students, but the students can only work in the morning and have classes in the afternoon.<\/p>\n
\u201cWe\u2019re finding it difficult to encourage people to volunteer again in this uncertain climate\u201d<\/p>\n
Ms King said there\u2019s at least 10 riders on the waiting list, but not enough volunteers to cope.<\/p>\n
Recruiting and training new volunteers has been near impossible, and Ms King said the older volunteers are struggling.<\/p>\n
\u201cNow that we\u2019re getting older our knees are playing up and we can\u2019t walk in the sand, it makes it very difficult for the older volunteers when they\u2019ve got injuries.\u201d<\/p>\n
RDA Bendigo provides children and adults with disabilities or impairments an opportunity to engage with horses, go trail riding, and play games such as modified basketball and egg-and-spoon races.<\/p>\n
Ms King said it\u2019s all about having fun, developing hand-eye coordination, and making a connection with the horses.<\/p>\n
\u201cWhat I really love is when anybody in a wheelchair, they can\u2019t go bushwalking, so you pop them up on a horse and we go trail riding,\u201d she said.<\/p>\n
\u201cThey\u2019ve not done that before, they\u2019re out in the bush, they\u2019re free they\u2019ve got someone else that\u2019s got the legs for them.\u201d<\/p>\n
RDA Bendigo currently operates on a weekly rotating schedule of morning and afternoon sessions on Wednesdays, however Ms King hopes with more volunteers they will be able to have whole day sessions soon.<\/p>\n