Trustees Annual Report Ballyclare Riding for Disabled 1st July 2022- 30th June 2023 Charity number: NIC 104521 Based at Laurelview Equestrian Centre, 18 Knowehead Road. Templepatrick BT39 OBX Contact Group Organiser.. Avril Nicholl 32 Beech Green, Doagh Ballyclare BT39 OQB The charity exists to provide therapeutlc riding and contact with horses to children and young adults with special needs in the Ballyclare area. The group normally meets on Thursday mornings during term time for a total of 31 weeks during the year. We started back in September 2022 with three separate rides. The first group come from Roddensvale school, the second ride is made up of individuals brought by their carers. The last ride come from Jordanstown school. The riders who come from school 8roups change every 6-8 weeks to give more children the opportuntty to experience the benefits and enjoyment of riding. Our group of individuals come every week. Where possible our riders work towards their RDA grade tests. We meet at Laurelview Equestrian centre, where we use the indoor school and ponies thanks to the generosity of Robert and Linda Davis. Our main cost Is our payments to Laurelview of £600/term towards our use of the facilities and ponies. Also, we pay fees for membershlp and insurance to RDA headquarters in En8land. Our group instruttors, organiser and helpers are all volunteers. We now have only one fully qualified instruttors, Sylvia and Margo is training to be an instructor. Our main source of income is our education authority grant. We have also had some very generous donations from the Wishart Group and Ballyclare NFU. We ended the year with closing balance of £8915.48 The public benefit delivered by Ballyclare 8roup is reflected in the enjoyment and achievements of our riders. Some of our riders are extremely nervous when they start and it is wonderful to see them gain self confidence. Physically, the riders benefit from improvements to their core strength, coordination, mobility and balance. We make every effort to ensure the rides are conducted safely, using trained volunteers under the supervision of a qualified instructor. All our instructors and volunteers have completed Enhanced Access Nl checks. Our group has an up to date safeguarding policy. Every session has a qualified first alder in attendance. We consider that we have regard to the Commission's guidance on public benefit and have fulfilled our obligations in this respect.
Signed........ Date Elizabeth Redfern 1-5-X4 Chairman and Trustee On behalf of the following trustees Julia Desmond Avril Nicholl Maeve Rosemond Sylvia Coulter Angela Houston Cathy Mullan