2025-02-28-accounts

TRUSTES ANNUAL REPORT FOR 2024/2025

Registered charity 1177448

Registered address: Northwood Farm, Fir Trees Lane, Higham,Lancashire, BB12 9AY Trustees: Alison Pickering, Sally Jones, David Smith and Michael Pickering

Objectives

Saddleworth RDA is a Riding for the Disabled Group in the North West region based at Saddleworth Stables, Diggle near Oldham. The group offers equestrian based opportunities for local children and adults with physical disabilities, mental health or learning difficulties to develop knowledge of horse care and experience fun, therapeutic horse riding sessions. Our aim is to provide inclusive access to the benefits of horse riding and contact with horses to people with additional needs from all social and ethnic backgrounds in our locality with high quality sessions which have far reaching and measurable impact on their lives. Importantly, the group provides long term, meaningful volunteering opportunities to local people.

Summary of the Year

It has been a very difficult year for the year which has seen a move of venue in July 2024 and a reduction in facilities and number of lessons available to offer each week. There has also been a reduction in the number of coaching team, with two resignations due to other commitments. However, there is one new coach in training.

We have seen success in the RDA writing competition, Arts & Crafts competition and received nominations for Volunteer of the Year.

The group has benefitted from careful financial management, steady levels of fundraising and donations resulting in a secure financial position.

I am pleased to be able to share this report and despite the challenges faced this year the Trustees are aconfident Saddleworth RDA will continue to thrive and provide enjoyable and valuable experiences for our local community.

Overview

Participants

1. We engaged with 14 participants…non-ridden and ridden sessions

2. On average, we delivered 5. lessons a week

3. 14 of the participants were under 25 years old

4. 52 new enquiries were received and application forms sent out

5. There are 26 potential participants on the waiting list

Equines

1. Twinkle – Saturday mornings every week, loan

2. Tank – Some Saturday mornings, loan

3. Troy – Horse Simulator, Croft End Equestrian Centre, two Saturdays a month 9. Rocky – most Saturday mornings, loan

Volunteers

1. 19 volunteers

2. 1 new volunteers currently in the induction stage

3. 1 DofE placements – 2 bronze, 1 silver

4. 1 Participant/Volunteers

5. Recruitment is via promotions on social media/community groups/word of mouth

Volunteer Progression

1. Two qualitfied Coaches and one Coach is on the coaching pathway

2. Volunteers attended online Safeguarding training

3. Volunteers are encouraged to take on new opportunities and there have been expressions of interest in the new RDA Activity Leaders role

On behalf of Trustees I would like to thank the volunteer team who are committed to making our group the successful and happy group that it is. Without their dedication and enthusiasm it would not be possible to run the group and they have remained steadfast and loyal to the group throughout the pandemic.

Grants/Funding

1. There are currently no grant applications pending

2. The weekly charity lottery run by One Lottery continues to run, although ticket revenue is noticeably down since the economic downturn

3. Fundraising has been successful this year

Alison Pickering Group Chair

v ACCOUNTS

NCOME & EXPENDITURE FOR PERIOD 1[st] MARCH 2024 TO 28[th] FEBRUARY 2025:

INCOME:

Donations Riding Lessons Refund First Aid Course Credit One Lottery TOTAL INCOME OUTGOINGS Membership & Insurance Pony Hire & Use of Services Equipment Sundry (inc annual storage charge) Vet Services & Physio re Twinks Tank & Rocky TOTAL OUTGOINGS	£1659.34 £ 809.04 £ 369.60 £ 38.68 £ 614.02 £3490.58 £1359.50 £3232.00 £ 64.99 £1026.26 £1350.53 £7033.28