Cotswold RDA Volunteers - We need your help!

At Cotswold RDA it's what you CAN do that counts. Every week we welcome participants living with a disability to experience mounted or non-mounted sessions with our ponies.

Without volunteers we simply could not run, and there are many ways in which we need your help:

What can I help with at the arena?

• Side-walking involves walking alongside the rider, to support and give them confidence. It is a very rewarding role!
• If you are already confident around horses, or would like to learn, you can become a pony leader too. We provide volunteer training throughout the year so there is always an opportunity to learn something new.
• Support ‘Tea with a Pony’ sessions in warmer months. This involves greeting and hosting clients with tea and cake, and is a lovely way to support us without too much physical activity.
• You don't need to be 'horsey' to volunteer with us, we provide training throughout the year and there will always be someone to help you out!

Our arena operating times:

• We begin the volunteering day at 8am with a 10 minute walk to our pony fields, to help the grooms bring the ponies in for the day. Then groom and tack up the ponies ready for the first lesson at 10am. Not all volunteers join in with pony catching, please see below for our regular operating times:
• Our morning shift runs from 9am to 12pm
• The afternoon shift runs from 12:45pm to 4pm
• Our after-school club shift runs from 4pm to 6pm on Monday, Tuesday and Thursday.
• Wednesday, Friday and Saturday are shorter days, running until 3:30pm

We ask that all volunteers do one shift weekly, as you will get the most out of your experience with us and vice versa!

What else can I do?

• If fundraising is more your thing, we welcome those wishing to hold a sponsored event or activity in aid of us. Please do get in touch to chat to us about your plans!
• We also bucket collect on selected race dates throughout the Autumn/Winter season, at Cheltenham Racecourse. This is a great way to meet new people and fundraise for us if you cannot commit to regular dates.
• We also have two charity shops, one in Longlevens, Gloucester, and one in Tewkesbury. Please contact us for more details on volunteering in our shops.

Please note for all new volunteers aged 16 or over we require a DBS enhanced clearance (a criminal record check) after you have completed your first shift. Ask in the office about which documents you will need to bring in. There is a small charge for processing your application, and your clearance will last three years.

How do I join?

We require a Volunteer Application form and two references to be completed before you start volunteering. These can be sent to you via email, either by contacting us through Go Volunteer Glos or directly to our email address.

Do visit our website for more information or to get in touch!