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