Be part of something special and volunteer with GMRDA!
Through the commitment of our volunteers, GMRDA enables people with disabilities to ride horses to benefit their health and wellbeing. We rely on the input and support of volunteers to help with riding, fundraising, administration, management and many other tasks.
We need volunteers with a wide range of skills to make our group work. This means people like you who want to share in the fun, excitement and achievements of GMRDA and be part of the environment that bring horses and people together. GMRDA prides itself on high standards of care, safety and training and every volunteer is trained and supported to ensure those standards are met.
GMRDA volunteers are ordinary people doing extraordinary things! You will be joining a fantastic team of dedicated volunteers who can make a difference to people’s lives.
What will I do as a volunteer?
Volunteers will be required to undergo a Criminal Records Bureau (CRB) check. Once complete, full training will be given in all aspects of volunteering. These include:
• Assisting riders in mounting and dismounting
• Leading horses and ponies
• Side-walking with horse and rider
• Tacking and un-tacking horses
• Yard health and safety
• Stable duties such as sweeping the yard, mucking out and filling hay-nets.
• Assisting with collecting / returning horses from the field
• Grooming and general horse care.
Green Cards
All volunteers are requested to complete basic training and this is documented on an RDA Green Card. This 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 a qualified member of staff. 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 your card is completed it will be sent to the RDA National Office and you will receive a certificate to show that your training is complete. Once you receive this you will also be given a staff polo-shirt by GMRDA to wear on the yard.
Volunteer rights and responsibilities
As a volunteer you have the right to:
• Have a named member of staff to whom you are accountable
• Be included in meetings, social events, training and functions
• Be inducted into safe working practices
• Be insured by GMRDA
• Be taken seriously by colleagues
• Be consulted on matter which directly affect you
As a volunteer we expect you to:
• Be reliable
• Arrive on time
• Notify GMRDA if you are not available or are running late
• Respect the confidentiality of the organisation, riders, staff and fellow volunteers
• Respect the rights of users of our service
• Carry out the agreed volunteering activities to a professional standard
• Acknowledge the decisions made by others
If you think you might be interested in volunteering with GMRDA please click here to download an application form. We are currently looking for volunteers for our Wednesday afternoon sessions however applications for Saturdays will also be considered. Please note that this form can be completed electronically and returned to GMRDA1@gmail.com however before you can start volunteering you and your referee will need to sign the form in person and your CRB check will need to be completed. GMRDA will provide you with the CRB forms and the information needed to complete the forms.
GMRDA run an induction session for new volunteers on the first Saturday of every month at 2pm.