TRUSTEES ANNUAL REPORT LISBURN RIDING FOR THE DISABLED ASSOCIATION For the year ended 31 August 2023 Charity No. N1104484 Lisbum Riding for the Disabled Association is a charity constituted under a trust deed and is also known as RDA Lisburn. The principal address of RDA Lisburn and contact for the Charity Commission is Mr Christopher Stephen Graham, Lusk Equestrian Centre, 48 Knockany Rd, Lisburn BT27 6YB. The Trustees of the group at the date of this report are". Mr Chrislopher Stephen Graham (Chairman, elected 20 October 2022) Mrs Carole Quinn Mr Samuel James English (resigned as Chairnian 20. October 2022, remains as Trustee) Mrs Lilian Connor Hampson Mrs Anne-Louise Stoupe Mr Robert Hampson Mrs Barbara Emberson Small (resigned 20thOctober 2022). Ih The purpose of RDA Lisburn (or'The Group,) is lo promole the objects of the Riding for the Disabled Association incorporating Carriage Driving (Company No 5010395) a charity registered in England and Wales undcr Charity No 244108 ('the Company,) by providing disabled people with the opportunity to ride and lor to carriage drive to bcncfit their health and well-being in the Lisburn area. The public benefit of RDA Lisbum is to enhance the health and well-being of people with disabilities through the delivery of effective and lite enhancing therapy (in ternis ol. greater mobility, balance, core strength and self-confidence); the opportunity to learn new skills and achieve personal goals and ambitions. and the chance lo enjoy taking part in a social aLtivity Ihat promotes general well-being. This benefit is demonstrated by the outcomes achieved for the beneficiaries, (which is backed by clear research evidence that shows the positive physical and psychological impact of the activity for the participants. In addition to this, there several secondary benefits which the charity delivers - particularly the improved communication and learning ability of school-age beneficiaries and the sporting success achieved by some beneficiaries. The Group only works with people with disabilities, although we act to ensure that no person is excluded from our activity where there is space for them within the Group and the appropriate equipment and support is available. Most of our beneficiaries would be unable to access this activily if this Group did not exist lo provide the service and support them to do so.
Our riding activities take place during school terni times and between 21. Septcmber 2022 and I" June 2023 we were able to hold 45 rides. Up to four adults attended each Wednesday and up to nine children each Thursday. Unfortunately staff shortages at Dairy Farn] Adult Resource Centre and Parkview Special School, in addition to adverse weather, meant that several rides had lo be cancelled during the year. All lessons took place at Lusk Equestrian Centre, Lisburn where the Group was able to hire facilities and horses SUAtable for the participants and we are very grateful to Denise Neill and her team for their help and support during the year. Every effort is made to ensure that the sessions are conducled safely by using suitably qualified coaches and trained volunteers. Each coach and volunteer must go through an Enhanced Access Nl check as well as providing two references. A qualified First- Alder is always in attendance and the First Aid box is reviewed periodically lo ensure the contents are in date. A defibrillator is also held on site. Our principal sources of income during the year arose from donations from the public, sale of RDA Christmas cards, money collected for tea and cotTee from members and voluntary contributions from the adult riders . Our main costs arose from hire of the riding school, insurance and membership of the RDA parent body. 'I'his year, 2022/2023, thanks in part to a large donation from a member ot. the public our income exceeded our expenditure. The Group's reserves, (all of which are unrestricted and held in bank and deposit accounts) are adequate to ensure that the Group can continue to operate in the coming year. Mr Samuel James English resigned as Chairnian at our AGM on the 20 October th 2022. We are grateful to hAm for his many years service in that role and are pleased that he continues as a Trustee. Mr Christopher Stephen Graham was elected Chaim]an and Trustee at the same AGM. Mrs Barbara Emberson Small also resigned as Trustee and committee member on the Ih 20 October 2022 and we thank her for her dedicated service. We consider that we have had regard to the Commission's guidance on public benefit and have t"ultilled our obligations in this respect. Mr Christopher Stephen Graham (Chaimian) L5 On behalf of the Trustees of RDA Lisburn