There are 3 main ways you can help to support the Hope in the Valley RDA Group:
Volunteering
 Volunteers at Hope in the Valley have a variety of roles:
- 'Horsey' people to lead ponies and others to walk alongside the child riders to help and encourage them in the first two sessions each child may need three helpers
- Arty and/or horsey people to assist with horse care classes which include preparing and entry for the Regional Area Arts and Crafts competition.
- Tea ladies to give drinks and biscuits to the children before their journeys home and reviving tea to thirsty helpers
- Trailer drivers for the ponies
- Aides to help dress the riders in their riding gear and fit safety hats, and look after them while they are waiting to ride
- Administration, publicity and fund raising.
The reward of this work is to see children, who initially needed a lot of help, grow into capable young people who can ride independently and with the minimum of assistance.
Criminal Record Bureau Disclosures are required for all volunteers.
Training for volunteers
A rolling programme, which includes training for all disciplines involved in running a riding group and the administration and management of a charitable organisation, is reviewed annually.
1. Enrolment and training records are closely linked to Health & Safety and insurance.
2. Helpers in the riding school are required to attend an induction and initial training session, and are encouraged to attend Regional and National training courses if they wish to extend their knowledge and commitment.
3. Some helpers may want to train to become instructors and full support and assistance is given to those who wish to pursue this.
4. Non-horsey helpers are not required to attend special training but are welcome to join in if they wish to know more about the therapy we can offer our riders.
 Hope in the Valley is committed to the provision of a high standard of instruction and care and safety for riders and volunteers: this is achieved by ensuring that all volunteers are properly trained for the tasks that they are required to undertake.
As a member group of the Riding for the Disabled Association (RDA), Hope in the Valley benefits from regional and national training courses specifically relating to the provision of riding for the disabled. In addition, Hope in the Valley encourages volunteers to attend courses organised by related organisations and in-house training directly related to Hope in the Valley's particular requirements. RDA qualifications take precedence over other equine qualifications, although British Horse Society (BHS) and NVQ qualifications may be recognised for certain training modules.
All enrolled volunteers must have a Training Record Card, which they must sign before they may commence in any role, to confirm that they have received an introduction to the Group environment and activities and understand the Health & Safety guidelines. Further training is tailored to the requirement of a volunteer's particular role. There are additional modules on the Training Card and training must be given and acknowledged before other tasks are undertaken without supervision.
Our instructors and other key volunteers are required to regularly attend Child Protection and First Aid courses. Additionally, First Aid courses are organised annually by Hope in the Valley and all volunteers are encouraged to attend. This qualification requires updating every three years.
Donations
Hope in the Valley survives purely on donations and we welcome any contributions that you feel able to give.
CAF card
Click here to donate via your CAF card. (Search for "Hope in the Valley riding")
Credit/debit card
Click here to donate via your Credit/Debit card. (Search for "Hope in the valley riding")
Hope in the Valley is now listed on Justgiving.com, which means you can donate money to us on-line. Alternatively if you are entering a fund-raising event, you can nominate Hope in the Valley as your chosen charity and use Justgiving as an effective fund-raising tool. Visit http://www.justgiving.com/hopeinthevalley to donate.
Gift aid
If you are a UK tax-payer, Gift Aid allows Hope in the Valley to claim back the tax on any donation you make, provided that:
- you pay at least as much tax as we will be claiming back
- you make a declaration confirming that you wish your donation to be treated as Gift Aid
Declaration forms can be viewed as PDF files by clicking the link below. To view a PDF file you must have Adobe Acrobat Reader installed on your computer. To save a file to your hard drive, right click on the link and choose the save option.
Right-click here to download the Gift Aid Declaration by an Individual Form.
Further information can be obtained from the Inland Revenue but if you have any questions, or would like us to send you a copy of the declaration form, please do not hesitate to contact us.
Donating through your tax return
Inland Revenue Tax Returns now include a box whereby you can choose to donate the whole or part of any tax rebate due to you to a charity of your choice. You need to quote the charity's unique reference number and the Revenue will do the rest.
Hope in the Valley's number is CAQ11TG.
Sponsorship
examples of sponsorship possibilities:
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 Sponsor a pony for a year £2,270 (or its shoes for £520)
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Sponsor a newsletter for £50 with an acknowledgment or your advertisement
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Production of the annual report £500 (with an acknowledgement or your advert, as appropriate)
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Sponsor an event such as the costs of taking a team to Hickstead for the Regional Dressage competition
- You could even sponsor this website
Please contact us here for further details of this rewarding way to support us.
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