In Spring 2018, RDA rider, Max Stainton will attempt to reach Everest Base Camp to raise funds for Riding for the Disabled Association. Max, who has cerebral palsy, will be leaving the electric wheelchair he relies on daily in Kathmandu and swapping to a Nepalese horse for the ascent up to Base Camp with a team of supporters walking alongside. We believe a trek of this kind has never been achieved before. This is a once in a lifetime challenge for Max and the Riding Everest team, who are aiming to raise £50,000 towards the first ever RDA National Training Centre, helping to make this dream project a reality. Find out more about this amazing event, how you get involved and show support
Max is a disabled finance professional who works in London. He has lived with Cerebral Palsy all his life and has ridden with RDA since aged 5.
A World First Trek to Everest Base Camp
RDA official partner for NAIDEX 2018
RDA are pleased to be event partner for NAIDEX 2018 Europe’s biggest show dedicated to the care, rehabilitation and lifestyle of people with a disability or impairment.
Come and visit our stand in the Sports Arena section, have a go on our mechanical horse and learn more how you can get involved with our charity.
Register online today for your FREE TICKETS NAIDEX 2018
We are recruiting! Trusts and Grants Fundraiser vacancy
A brand new role has been created at RDA UK’s National office in Warwick. We are looking for a dynamic, enthusiastic and experienced Trust fundraiser to join us in 2018, the successful candidate will have the opportunity to significantly contribute towards our major new project to build the first ever RDA National Training Centre and to increase our annual income overall, in line with our strategy. If you are a confident fundraiser with a proven successful track record in writing high quality bids and applications then this is the ideal opportunity for you. Apply by email direct to satkinson@rda.org.uk sending a covering note explaining why you are an ideal candidate along with a current CV.
Closing date is 26 January 2018, interviews will be held Friday 2 February 2018.
This role is a full time, 2 year fixed term contract and the successful applicant will be tasked with raising in the region of £150,000 per year for the duration of the contract. To find out more download the Job Description
London Marathon 2018 – places available
Looking for a place in the 2018 London Marathon? Why not run for RDA, we have guaranteed Golden Charity Bond places available on a first come first served basis.
Runners are asked to raise £1,500 for RDA UK Charity no 244108 and there is a £100 registration fee to sign up. All you need to do is email satkinson@rda.org.uk with your details and a brief description about how you could raise the funds for us and we can add you to our charity draw.
Good luck!
Are you an experienced Equestrian Centre Manager? RDA has an exciting vacancy….
RDA’s National Training Centre is being built at Lowlands Farm, Warwickshire and we are looking for an experienced Equestrian Manager to lead us through the transition period. The role is an important part of this exciting project and we are looking for a confident person to take us through the set up phase, develop processes and put systems in place in time for completion and opening of the site.
Closing date for applications is Monday 3 July 2017.
Apply by email with a covering letter explaining why you would be suitable for this role along with your CV to jelliston@rda.org.uk
For more information download the RDA Transition Manager Job Description
Work For Us At RDA National Office
We have two exciting opportunities to join the staff team at RDA National Office, please see the job adverts below for full details.
The application deadline for both roles in Wednesday 31st May.
Coaching Qualifications Coordinator
Riding for the Disabled (RDA), Warwick
Summary of Job:
We are seeking a new member of staff to play a key role in supporting RDA coaches in delivering an excellent service to our riders.
This role is an excellent opportunity for someone who prides themselves on their administrative capabilities and organisational skills, and is keen to develop these further.
The main responsibilities of the role include:
- Administering all RDA coaching courses and qualifications
- Organising and making all administrative arrangements for coaching related events
- Handling day-to-day enquiries from coaches and ensuring the coach review system is maintained.
About you:
The role is primarily office based and we are looking for someone with excellent administration skills; in an ideal world you will have coaching and/or equine knowledge.
You will need to be organised and self-motivated, being be able to manage your time effectively; providing telephone and email support to coaches and RDA groups, whilst working on a varied range of administrative tasks.
It is important that you are a confident communicator with exceptional customer service skills as you will be providing advice and guidance to our coaching workforce on a regular basis.
About Us:
RDA is a leading national charity, dedicated to enriching the lives of disabled people, through the provision of opportunities for riding, carriage driving and vaulting.
Our mission is to enrich the lives of disabled people through horses and our team at National Office work closely with our coaching workforce to ensure our groups are able to provide an excellent experience for those who take part in our activities.
This is a permanent full-time role, working 34 hours per week, although flexibility will be needed leading up to events, with extra hours covered by time off in lieu.
Salary is £20,000 per annum plus benefits.
Please ring Claire on 01926 405969 or email her on cmilican@rda.org.uk for a full job description. To apply please send a CV with covering email to cmilican@rda.org.uk.
Group Support Administrator (Maternity Cover)
Riding for the Disabled (RDA), Warwick
Summary of Job:
We are seeking a new member of staff to play a key role in supporting RDA groups in delivering an excellent service to our riders.
This role is an excellent opportunity for someone who prides themselves on their administrative capabilities and organisational skills, and is keen to develop these further.
The main responsibilities of the role include administrative support in three key areas:
- Administering the service providing disclosure checks for volunteers
- Providing administrative support in the delivery of an RDA national equestrian competition, held in July
- Organising the collection of information and annual statistics from our 500 member groups and ensuring our database is kept up to date.
About you:
The role is office based and we are looking for an excellent administrator.
You will need to be organised and self-motivated, being be able to manage your time effectively; providing telephone and email support to our groups whilst working on a varied range of administrative tasks.
It is important that you are a confident communicator with exceptional customer service skills as you will be providing advice and guidance to our volunteer workforce on a regular basis.
We also value adaptability, we are looking for someone who will enjoy working on new projects and the challenges associated with a varied workload.
About Us:
RDA is a leading national charity, dedicated to enriching the lives of disabled people, through the provision of opportunities for riding, carriage driving and vaulting.
Our mission is to enrich the lives of disabled people through horses and our staff team at national office work closely with our network of national volunteers to ensure our groups are able to provide an excellent experience for those who take part in our activities.
This is a temporary role, providing maternity cover, working 34 hours per week although flexibility will be needed leading up to events, with extra hours covered by time off in lieu.
Salary is £18,000 (pro rata) per annum.
Please ring Matt on 01926405966 or email mcobble@rda.org.uk for a full job description. To apply please send a covering letter and your CV to mcobble@rda.org.uk
Nominations for 2017 RDA Gala Awards are now open!
Celebrate achievement by nominating RDA riders, drivers, volunteers and horses for the 2017 Gala Awards.
https://myrda.org.uk/rda-gala-awards-2017-nominations-now-open/
Winners will be presented with their awards at the RDA Gala Dinner on 26 September 2017 at The Underglobe, London.
Hosted by Clare Balding and attended by Alastair Stewart, Anneka Rice and Peter Egan.
Closing date for nominations is 22 July 2017.
Join Sam’s Big Ride
Raising money for RDA’s National Training Centre, The Big Ride will see RDA UK Chairman, Sam Orde, complete rides or carriage drives in each of RDA’s 18 regions throughout the summer.
Travelling an average of 15km for each ride, Sam will be joined by RDA members and supporters en route.
“I can’t wait to begin this challenge, which will take me from the Highlands to Northern Ireland, Wales, the South Coast and everywhere in between. I hope to raise lots of money for the National Training Centre, and I am encouraging RDA members to join one of the 18 rides or carriage drives and raise money for their own groups too.”
Find a ride near you:
East Region Sunday 9 April redman.tessa@gmail.com
NE & S Yorks Wednesday 31 May bobjude@btinternet.com
Yorks & Cleveland Sunday 28 May clairepope184@hotmail.com
South Monday 12 June flochrane@btinternet.com
South East Wednesday 28 June gilly_roper@btinternet.com
South West Tuesday 1 August sue@schumacher.com
South Wales Friday 4 August judith.england@btconnect.com
Northern Ireland Sunday 20 August rdaniregion@yahoo.co.uk
Yorkshire & Cleveland (ride 2) Wednesday 23 August purpletracy@hotmail.co.uk
W & Central Scotland Wednesday 13 September susanduncanmillar@hotmail.com
Grampian & Highland Sat 9 September gandhrda@aol.com
North West Sunday 17 September sheilas@nantwichcc.co.uk
North Midlands Friday 22 September dencorrall@gmail.com
North Wales 12/13 October rdanwaleschair@outlook.com
West Mercia Tuesday 17 October anonamay@btinternet.com
Mid West Sept/Oct lizzieblair@btconnect.com
Greater London Sept/Oct mike.locke@outlook.com
North tbc carolebarr2@aol.com
Edinburgh & Borders tbc lawhittaker@live.co.uk
For general information contact Sam: orde@btconnect.com
To donate to Sam’s Big Ride visit: mydonate.bt.com/events/bigride2017/432482
Make a Splash for RDA at the Lions Charity Raft Race
Wellesbourne & District and Shakespeare Lions Clubs are raising funds for RDA UK at the 2017 Raft Race.
Sign up today – Get a team together, build a raft then put the fun into fundraising by paddling your raft down the River Avon to Stratford on
Sunday 23 July 2017 a definite date for the diary!!
Find out more http://www.raftrace.org.uk/ Tel: 07590 387 204 or email enquiries@raftrace.org.uk
RDA is People’s Postcode Lottery Featured Charity of the week
We are really pleased to be the featured Charity of the week of People’s Postcode Lottery. It’s incredible to think that over the past 3 years players have raised a total of £1.4m for RDA! Thank you so much for your support. Read more about our feature at https://www.postcodelottery.co.uk/about-us/news/four-legged-friends
RDA to feature at NAIDEX 2017
NAIDEX is Europe’s biggest and most far-reaching trade, professional and consumer show dedicated to the care, rehabilitation and lifestyle of people with a disability or impairment.RDA is an official partner for NAIDEX 2017 and will feature throughout the event. Visitors can experience the thrill of riding the RDA mechanical horse and chat to our staff and volunteers about how they can become involved in our activities, providing life changing therapy through horses.
The show takes place at the NEC, Birmingham 28-30 March 2017 and is free to attend. Find out more www.naidex.co.uk
RDA National Training Centre plans to be revealed at BETA International 2017
Come and visit the RDA stand at BETA International 22-24 January 2017, the NEC Birmingham to learn more about RDA’s exciting plans to build the first National Training Centre. See us on Stand D7.7 and find out how you can help support this important project. Download the RDA NTC Brochure contact Sal Atkinson satkinson@rda.org.uk or call 01926 405975.
New Fundraising Co-Ordinator vacancy
RDA UK is recruiting a new member of staff to join the Fundraising Team at National Office. We are looking for an energetic, enthusiastic fundraiser to develop the support we provide for RDA Groups across the country. This full time role is based at our office in Warwick and will involve a certain amount of travel around the UK, visiting Groups and providing fundraising advice.
To find out more download the
Fundraising Co-ordinator Job Description and How to Apply
Closing date for applications is Monday 6 February 2017. Interviews are on Friday 10 February 2017.