Volunteers needed to help with disabled riders
Can you help us, we are looking for willing volunteers who:
- Love horses.
- Love helping people.
- Would like to learn new skills.
The Brook is the home of Erme Valley RDA Ltd and it thrives in the beautiful South Hams area of Devon. Erme Valley was founded by Peggy Douglas MBE more than thirty years ago, and is now supporting one hundred and twenty disabled riders and their families, staffed entirely by brilliant volunteers. In addition to the benefits of riding we have ten work experience placements, and have created the right environment for young adults with mental health issues to flourish.
It is a lovely Iarge extended family, warm, comfortable, fun and caring, delivering a professional and unique service of therapeutic benefit. Having been born with Cerebral Palsy I discovered The Brook via a referral from a Physiotherapist. I had been unable to ride for three and a half years, due to orthopaedic surgery, naturally I had begun to despair of ever getting back to riding, and thought this was no longer an option for me.
Riding was extremely painful, and when I started at The Brook I could only manage two steps on the horse before having to stop because of pain. The wonderful Peggy and her fantastic team spent weeks, months and subsequent years encouraging me, never allowing me to give up. It’s thanks to their dedication that I am now back riding, free from pain and discomfort. I am eternally grateful to Ketchup, one of our groups longest serving RDA horses, for her endless patience, the hope she gave during that time was invaluable.
Riding enables me to cope with my disability, helping me to feel so much more comfortable in my everyday life, whilst giving me equine companionship and inclusion, within a sport I adore, as well as the opportunity of making new friends and being part of a team.
Ketchup doesn’t do it all on her own there’s a further nine others all giving their big hearts and delightful personalities to make this group what it is – a paradise! Horse riding can make an immeasurable difference; to see somebody achieve a goal they’ve been working on for a long time brings great pleasure to them and to everyone involved. This could be helping to improve posture, aiding communication or improve riding ability even eventually riding unaided without assistance using our ever gorgeous equine friends in our mission. I feel the elation it brings regularly no matter how big or small the improvement; you can literally change someone’s life.
I’m now the groups Rider Representative, this is both amazing and pleasing to me it boosts my confidence, encourages mutual support and makes me feel appreciated. After all the help and support they have given to me so that I can continue to ride I’m giving something back to them, I love being part of an organisation that puts so much heart into what they do. I plan to do that for the next thirty years and beyond!
Having previous experience with horses is always a bonus but not essential as guidance is provided. Erme Valley RDA Ltd is a member of RDA UK. Please come and join our fabulous horses and riders, visit: www.ridingatthebrook.co.uk WE WOULD LOVE TO MEET YOU!