TRUSTEES ANNUAL REPORT LISBURN RIDING FOR THE DISABLED ASSOCIATION st For the year ended 31 August 2024 Charity No. N1104484 Lisburn Riding for the Disabled Association is a charity constituted under a trust deed and 18 alsn known &s RDA l.ishurn. The principal address of Rt)A l.isburn and contact for the Charity Commission is Mr Christopher Siephen Graham, Lusk Equestrian Centre, 48 Knockany Rd, Lisburn BT27 6YB. The Trustees of the group at the date of this report are: Mr Chiistopher Stephen Graham (Chainnan) Mrs Carole Quinn Mr Samuel James English Mrs Lilian Connor Hampson Mrs Anne-Louise Stoupe Mr Robert Hampson The purpose of RDA Lisbum (or 'The Group,) is to promote the objects of the Riding for the Disabled Association incorporating Carriage Driving (Company No 5010395) a Charity registered in England and Wales under Charity No 244108 ('the Company,) by providing disabled people with the opportunity lo ride and lor to carriage drive to beiiefit their health and well-being in the l.isburn area. The public benefil of RDA Lisburn is to enhance the health and well-being of people with disabilities through the delivery of effective and life enhancing therapy (in temis of grealer mobility, balance, core strength and seif-confidence): the opportunity to learn new skills and achieve personal goals and ambitions: and the chance to Lnjoy taking part in a social activity that promotes general well-being. This benefit is demonstrated by the outcomes achieved t.or the beneliciaries, (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 benetits 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. Mosl of our beneficiaries would bc undblc to <iLLess this <iLtivity if this Group did not exist to provide the service and support them to do so. Our riding activities take place during school temi times and between 20th September 2023 and 19ihJune 2024 we were able to hold forty-nine rides. Up to
four adults attended each Weth]esday and up to nine children each Thursday. Adverse weather conditions, staff shortages at Dairy Farn] Adult Resource Centre, staff strikes at Parkview Special School, and important maintenance work at Lusk Equestrian Centre caused rides to be unavoidably cancelled on several occasions. All lessons took place at Lusk Equestrian Centre, Lisburn wheie the Group was able to hire facilities and horses suitable for the participants and wc are grateful to Denise Neill <d her leam for their help and support during the year. Every effort is made to ensure that the sessions are conducted 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 to ensure the contents are in date. A defibrillator is also held on site and checked frequently. Our principal source of income during the year arose from donations from the public, including generous sums received following the deaths of two fornier members, both of whom we remember with affection and respect. Money was also collected from members for tea and coffee and voluntary contributions were made by the adult riders . Our main costs arose from hire of the riding school, insurance, membership of the RDA parent body and First Aid training. This year, 202312024, our income exLeeded our expenditure. The Group's reserves, (all of which are unrestricted and held in bank and deposit aLcounts) are adequate to ensure that the Group can continue to operate in the coming year. We consider that we have had regard to the Commission's guidance on public benefit and have fulfilled our obligations in this respcct. Mr Christophcr Stcphcn Graham (Chairnian) On behalf of the Trustees of RDA Lisburn