Volunteers

Roles

Volunteers at Hope in the Valley have a variety of rôles:

- 'horsy' 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;
- 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.

All volunteers require Criminal Records Disclosures.

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. Non-horsy 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 rôle, 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 rôle. There are additional modules on the Training Card and training must be given and acknowledged before other tasks are undertaken without supervision.

All volunteers are encouraged to take the EduCare postal course, and instructors and senior volunteers to attend courses organised by the British Equestrian Federation.

First Aid

First Aid courses are held annually and all volunteers are encouraged to attend an initial course and to renew their qualification every three years.

Instructors

RDA Group Instructors (RDAGI) may only teach or supervise within their named group. All riding sessions and trainee instructors must be supervised by a qualified RDAGI.

RDA Instructors (RDAI) may teach at any RDA group with the RDA County Instructor's approval.

All RDAGIs and RDAIs are assessed annually by a senior RDA instructor (a County or Regional Instructor).

Enrolment procedures

All volunteers must complete the enrolment procedures and training as directed by RDA National and in accordance with Group policy They must complete the Group enrolment form(s) and provide the names of referees. Hope in the Valley is registered with the Criminal Records Bureau and Disclosures will be requested for all new volunteers.

Trustees

Chairman & Pony Manager	Lesley Morrill
Hon Secretary	Nikki Terry	0845 2415358
Hon Treasurer	Denise Potton
Group Organiser	Sheila Camilleri
Group Instructor	Sheila Camilleri
Horse Care Organiser	Sheila Camilleri
Trainee Instructor	Nicola Cramond
Group Physiotherapist	Penny Lucy
Fundraising Adviser	Jenny Brown
Horse Welfare Adviser	Margaret Fogg

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