Volunteer

'RDA values every volunteer and is committed to giving each volunteer the best experiences possible' 

 

We need volunteers with a mix of skills to make our group work. It is people like you, who want to share in the fun, excitement and achievements of Pegasus RDA and be part of the environment that bring horses and people together. We pride ourselves on high standards of care, safety and training and every volunteer is trained and supported to ensure those standards are met.  Roles are not limited to working with horses and riders, we also need people to help out with fundraising, administration and many other tasks. Volunteers must be over 14 years of age.Volunteering involves being part of a friendly team, working to improve the lives of others. As a team activities are undertaken to ensure the smooth, safe running of sessions, and to welcome and work with people with a range of disabilities.

Volunteering involves being part of a friendly team, working to improve the lives of others. As a team activities are undertaken to ensure the smooth, safe running of sessions, and to welcome and work with people with a range of disabilities.

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Types of activities for volunteers in the weekly sessions:

• Helping riders understand instructions

• Helping riders on and off ponies

• Walking with riders during the session

• Leading ponies

• Helping the coach set up the session

• Helping the coach with games in the session

• Manning the drinks stand!

• Although the yard don’t expect us to help them with yard duties, we do like to lend a hand!

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Other types of activities to get involved with:

• Fundraising

• Events

• Annual trip to the North West RDA show (May)​

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Training

We provide all training for our volunteers to ensure safety and understanding of the roles. There is no pressure or time period in which training is to be undertaken, we fully appreciate that some people do need more, or less, training and support than others. Klaudia is our volunteer training coordinator and we are pleased to help with any 

RDA use a Green Card system which is a declaration that you have been shown and understood the correct procedure to carry out tasks in a safe manner. Only relevant work with which you will be involved in needs to be completed and signed by one of our trustees. This system is in place for both safety and a requirement of RDA insurance. You are not authorised to carry out any procedure unassisted if you have not completed this element of training on your green card. You must not sign your card if you have been shown a procedure but do not fully understand or feel confident to undertake it. Please ask for more training.

 

Once training is complete the Green Card is sent to National Office for processing, a certificate is issued and you will also be provided with a Pegasus RDA polo-shirt!

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Safeguarding

Working with vulnerable children and adults we have to take safeguarding very seriously. Megan Holland (Trustee) is our Safeguarding Officer and point of contact for any safeguarding concerns anyone may have.

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Volunteer rights and responsibilities

As a volunteer, RDA will:

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• Welcome you as a volunteer and provide appropriate opportunities for you to make a worthwhile contribution to the objectives of the RDA

• Provide you with the appropriate training and the right equipment for the task 

• Give guidance and support so that you will feel secure and confident in what you are doing 

• Treat you and all volunteers fairly 

• Provide public liability, personal accident and Trustee indemnity insurance cover as appropriate 

• Provide you with a health and safety policy and accident procedure, as appropriate 

• Respect you as a volunteer, listen and learn from what you have to say, consistently encouraging two way communication 

In return we ask you to:

• Commit to the necessary training and give us your time

• Be reliable and let us know in good time if you cannot attend

• Comply with the agreed standards 

• Be professional and loyal to the RDA

• Be fair to those around you

• Talk to your RDA colleagues (volunteers or staff) if you have a problem 

• Take reasonable care of your own health and safety and that of others

• Respect the need of confidentiality whenever you have access to restricted charity information 

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