## TRUSTEE ANNUAL REPORT 

## Riding for the Disabled Association, Newtownards Group 

## Charity No. NI 104189 

The Charity exists to provide disabled people in the Newtownards and North Down area with the opportunity to ride and interact with horses to the benefit of their physical and emotional health and wellbeing. The Charity exists under the auspices of RDA National Office to whose policies and guidelines we adhere. 

The principal address for the Charity and contact for the Charity Commission is Mrs Celia McMorran, 51 Earlswood Road, Belfast, BT4 3EA. 

The Group meets at Birr House Riding Centre, Craigantlet where it has exclusive use of the indoor school on Tuesday mornings by kind permission of the proprietor,Caroline McVeigh. A payment of £15 per horse hired ( an increase from £10) is paid. In a normal session four horses are used with each horse being ridden by up to 3 different riders. Each rider contributes £4 ( up from £3). The Group held 25 sessions for the year past with a few sessions requiring to be cancelled due to inclement weather. Our normal number of 10-12 riders include four pupils of Tor Bank school, Dundonald. The remaining riders are adults who come from various care homes and private addresses in the area. Many of the riders have been coming to our sessions for several years. Proficiency tests as prescribed by the RDA parent body were undertaken successfully by a number of our Tor Bank riders. The older riders took part in a number of categories of the Virtual Championships, again with great success. One of the event days of the RDA’s National Championships at Hartpury was cancelled to the disappointment of one of our riders who was due to compete. 

All the Group’s qualified coaches and trained helpers are volunteers. The Group currently has 25 volunteers, 4 of whom joined this year. In addition to weekly rides the Group keeps in touch by WhatsApp. We also have one coach in training. The Group is managed by its trustees all of whom volunteer ‘on the ground’ as either coaches or helpers. A new Chairman was appointed this year; the previous Chair remains a 



Trustee. One Trustee has resigned but remains a volunteer. The AGM was held on 25/April/23 in person. 

The Group’s funds remain healthy with a year end sum of £8741.09. The main outgoings comprised horse hire and insurance. Christmas cards, equipment, prizes and gifts were also purchased. Income was derived from Easyfundraising donation scheme, HMRC Gift Aid and fund-raising by members/ supporters of our Group for its benefit. As noted above the riders contribute to each session. 

The public benefit delivered by the Group is reflected in the achievements of its riders. It delivers the means whereby they can have the opportunity to ride and learn about horse management to the level of their ability, choice and ambition within a safe structured and enjoyable environment. The improvement in confidence ,physical ability, wellbeing and education derived from the experience of our riders extends beyond the arena. This is demonstrated by all those who ride with our Group. 

The Group ensures that each session is conducted safely under the direction of qualified coaches whose skills are regularly reviewed. Volunteers are trained on joining and receive ongoing guidance on a regular basis. All volunteers, coaches and helpers, are required to satisfy an Enhanced AccessNi check. Before acceptance of an application to join the Group two references are sought and taken up. The Group adheres to the RDA parent policy with regard to safeguarding, which policy is regularly reviewed. A qualified first aider attends all sessions. 

We consider that we have had regard to the Commission’s guidance on public benefit and have fulfilled our obligations in this respect. 

Signed 

Mrs Caroline Good , Chairman 

And on behalf of the Newtownards Group Trustees Mrs Celia McMorran ( Secretary/Organiser) Mr Christopher McMorran, Treasurer 



Mrs Caroline Twemlow Mrs Penelope Rawlings Mrs Sarah Furney Mrs Valerie Campbell Mrs Sally McVeigh