RDA IMPACT REPORT 2020 - ADAPTING. SURVIVING. THRIVING.
←
→
Page content transcription
If your browser does not render page correctly, please read the page content below
RDA IMPACT REPORT 2020 ADAPTING. SURVIVING. THRIVING.
OUR PRESIDENT WRITES ADAPTING TO COVID-19
ED BRACHER
CHIEF EXECUTIVE, RDA UK
I
HRH, THE PRINCESS ROYAL,
RDA PRESIDENT WRITES n March 2020, all RDA groups across the UK relevant information to help keep them up to
OPPORTUNITY
closed their doors – an unprecedented event date in a fast moving situation. They needed
in our 51 year history. The National Office access to new funding streams, clear guidance,
also closed, with a core staff team continuing and support for new and adapted activities.
CRISISSE to work from home, while others were With the hope of restrictions easing, our efforts
RESPOLNINE
TIME
2020
IN ADVERSITY furloughed. Central support for specific activity
areas was curtailed, and resources diverted to
help meet new and emerging challenges.
refocused on helping groups to restart: creating
COVID-safe venues, operating within frequently
changing guidelines, retraining volunteers,
T
his past year has brought unprecedented who have benefited from spending time with Fundraising for groups became an immediate returning horses to fitness and building the
challenges to RDA, both at national and horses in new ways. Family members have issue, with events cancelled and no income confidence of participants to return to RDA.
local level. The closure of all our groups been trained as helpers – bringing parents from riding and carriage driving sessions. New Throughout this year, RDA – its
has had a devastating impact on those who and siblings into the RDA experience like challenges emerged as the crisis continued: care participants, volunteers and staff – have
13 MAR
The ‘Delay Phase’ rely on our activities for their physical and never before. And one group successfully for horses, the isolation of participants, the drop shown unprecedented levels of
Advice to staff mental well-being. organised an appeal to buy their stables in volunteer confidence. Groups needed timely, resilience, adaptability and innovation.
and volunteers about Yet within this year of restrictions, RDA threatened with closure.
hygiene, working from has found ways to adapt: introducing new This year has also taught us so much
home, cancelling
A YEAR OF CHALLENGES
activities and keeping the joy of horses alive about the need for RDA in communities
non-essential travel,
for many thousands of people – even those across the UK. For many disabled people,
meetings and training
isolated at home. RDA is a frontline service delivering vital
We have demonstrated our ability to access to exercise, physical therapy and
embrace change and find opportunity in mental well-being. Our challenge now is to
adversity. I have spoken to coaches who have bring our services back to those who have RDA has faced unprecedented challenges over the last 12 months,
introduced adapted activities that will make lost out in recent times, and to grow our
a lasting impact on their group, and riders reach so that more people can benefit. and our groups and participants have adapted with tireless ingenuity
Within this year of restrictions, RDA has found
ways to adapt: introducing new activities and
keeping the joy of horses alive for many thousands
of people – even those isolated at home
16 MAR
50 RDA groups
close voluntarily.
Safeguarding & first aid
updates extended by
six months. Coaching
assessments postponed
17 MAR
‘Strong advice’ issued
to RDA groups to close
and suspend all activity.
Regional Qualifiers/ ABOUT RIDING FOR THE DISABLED ASSOCIATION
National Championships
cancelled At Riding for the Disabled nearly 500 RDA groups all in our cities and remote rural
Association (RDA), our horses over the UK. areas, bringing the therapy,
benefit the lives of over 25,000 RDA is an inclusive and achievement and fun of horses
While we hope never to
disabled children and adults. diverse organisation. We to as many people as we can.
19 MAR have another year like this,
Dedicated webpage With fun activities like welcome clients with physical We are a charity, and we can
created to support riding and carriage driving, we and learning disabilities and only carry out our life-changing we have learned so much about
groups with up-to-date provide therapy, fitness, skills autism, and there are no age activities thanks to the the need for our work, our ability
guidance and support. development and opportunities restrictions. generosity of our donors, the
Equine welfare to thrive in uncertainty and the
for achievement – all supported Through our network of dedication of our volunteers
advice issued
by 18,000 amazing volunteers member groups, RDA is at and the good nature of our importance of RDA in supporting
and qualified coaches at work in every corner of the UK, fantastic horses. communities all over the UK...
ED BRACHER
24 MAR 2 APR 14 APR 17 APR 21 APR 1 MAY 20 MAY 1 JUN
All RDA activity Launch of First round of crisis New working party Most RDA UK staff RDA CEO Ed Survey launched to Rule of Six allows
suspended, apart Emergency Fund grants awarded to meets to discuss furloughed. Core team Bracher delivers the understand impact some RDA activity
from essential care Appeal groups, totalling practical measures remains for group first in a new of lockdown on the to resume
for horses £60,000 for a safe return to support, fundraising & series of webinars RDA community
RDA activity communication to groups
2 Our Impact Our Impact 3
IMPACT OF LOCKDOWN ON SUPPORTING OUR GROUPS
PARTICIPANTS AND VOLUNTEERS
HOW WE SUPPORTED WHAT WE DID....
OUR GROUPS
We responded quickly and
decisively to the needs of
our groups
l Crisis and Resilience Grants
In July 2020, three months into the Covid-19 crisis, over 3,000 of l Liaison with government
and Sport England
the RDA family took part in our lockdown impact survey l Up-to-date advice and
guidance
WHAT OUR SURVEY SAID
l Daily (then weekly)
email briefings
l Weekly webinars
l ‘RDA at Home’
online resources
I
l Development of
We have had n July 2020, we carried out a survey among take part in each week. Although
adapted activities
the whole RDA community – riders, carriage the population generally may
updates, regular l Training videos (new
drivers, families, carers and volunteers – to have found new ways to exercise
emails and we follow find out what impact prolonged RDA group or socialise during lockdown, for YouTube Channel)
RDA on Facebook closure was having on individuals. After more RDA members that isn’t always l ‘Road to Restart'
and Instagram where than three months of lockdown, we wanted to possible, and many people come programme
understand how people were affected by not to us precisely because it is the l Fundraising and PR
they post pictures of
being able to access our activities, and how we only physical activity they can resources
the ponies, which my could help. do independently. Lockdown
daughter loves... Over 3,000 people took part from across the left much of our community
RDA family, making this the biggest research without access to any exercise
project we have ever carried out. or social life.
They have given
The results showed that the prolonged
me something closure of RDA groups has had a detrimental IMPACT ON OUR
to look forward to. They impact on the majority of our members, 18,000 VOLUNTEERS
have put tests on the particularly among riders and carriage drivers, Confidence levels emerged as the most
and specifically in the areas of physical and significant worry among volunteers, with 63%
internet, which I found
mental well-being and loss of confidence. saying they felt less confident than before.
interesting. They have The inability to connect in a meaningful Physical and mental wellbeing were also areas
kept me informed, so
I don’t feel forgotten.
Thank you...
way with RDA’s horses and other members
of groups exacerbated the issue for many,
for whom RDA is their sole access to activity,
therapy and social life.
of concern for many.
HOW OUR GROUPS RESPONDED
One of RDA’s key strengths has always been
£300k
We awarded almost £300,000 in
tackling social isolation, and our research direct grants to our groups
1
IMPACT ON OUR highlighted the vital part played by groups
25,000 PARTICIPANTS even when no RDA activity is taking place.
Among participants, the biggest areas of With creativity, ingenuity and no shortage of
concern were (and remain) physical and commitment, they took the RDA experience We had invested in
mental well-being, with over 75% saying online with competitions and quizzes, virtual
GRANTS TO GROUPS new equipment, PPE
closure was having a negative impact on meetings and social events, activities and
Since lockdown in March 2020 we
and other safety measures
both. Social skills were also affected and 63% educational resources. For some of our
said their confidence levels had dropped. Our participants, RDA was the only organisation have run three grants rounds, firstly to help us restart, but we
CASE STUDY
research revealed that, for many, RDA is the to reach out and stay in touch with them to support groups in immediate crisis, just couldn’t afford our main
only physical and/or social activity that they during lockdown. then, as the situation continued, A LIFELINE FOR BELVOIR VALE running costs, like arena
to help groups with plans to adapt
or restart activity once conditions Belvoir Vale RDA in to meet the costs after the hire. The grant from RDA UK
was a lifeline, allowing us
3,000+
People across the RDA family
75% 63%
of participants said
63% allowed. Overall we awarded
almost £300,000 in direct
Nottinghamshire applied
for a ‘Crisis and Resilience’
grant from RDA UK in June.
cancellation of their usual
fundraising events. Our grant
helped to cover the shortfall
to restart with nearly all our
of participants said RDA’s of volunteers grants to groups riders – and even introduce
responded to our survey – the biggest closure had a negative impact their social skills and said they felt less around the UK. Like many of our groups, for the following six months,
research project we’ve ever carried out on physical & mental wellbeing confidence had dropped confident than before Belvoir Vale was desperate enabling them to restart as new non-ridden pony
to reopen, but struggling soon as possible. sessions too...
2 JUN 22 JUN 26 JUN 1 JUL 4 JUL 17 JUL 15 OCT 23 OCT 29 OCT
HRH The Princess Launch of RDA joins lobby to RDA opens dedicated Indoor arenas Second round Disability dispensation Wales goes Research into activity levels
Royal sends letter ‘Resilience’ national allow indoor riding phone-line for group reopen in England. of group grants introduced in into second shows 152 RDA groups
to support RDA fundraising arenas to reopen in support and launches ‘Gatherings’ of 30 awarded, totalling England and Wales lockdown managed to reopen, but overall
volunteers campaign England. Scottish govt alternative activities people allowed in £82,000 only 7.5% of participants have
reopens indoor arenas inc. ‘Quiet Corners’ England & NI been able to return to activity
4 Our Impact Our Impact 5
WHAT WE DID
REGIONAL RESPONSE TARGETED RESPONSE TEAMS ‘RDA AT HOME’ SAFE ACTIVITIES FOR LEARNING AND FUN
2 Our 18 regional volunteer teams provided the dynamic local support needed
throughout the crisis. They held regular zoom meetings, training and events for the
groups in their areas to keep them updated and connected. They collected valuable
insight about groups in difficulty and helped us to direct support where it was needed
most. These responsive teams were vital in a crisis that involved devolved governments,
5 With all on-site RDA activity suspended, we expanded the range of resources available
for participants and volunteers to access from home. A dedicated page on the RDA
website now offers a selection of fun and educational resources for riders and drivers.
We updated and expanded our e-learning programme and took much of our volunteer
and coach training online. Workshops were delivered regionally and nationally via Zoom,
local restrictions and frequently changing geographical variations. supported by presentations and ‘how to’ videos on a new dedicated YouTube channel.
RDA EXPERTS ADAPTED ACTIVITIES
Your staff have made me feel
PUTTING OUR
HEADS TOGETHER
DOING THINGS DIFFERENTLY included and connected during
4
Covid. Their friendly and helpful advice has
3
COVID brought a pressing grooming and horse care,
A working party was pulled question: how to do RDA groundwork and even long-reining. made it feel better. They have helped me to
together during lockdown without being able to Volunteers took ponies out into develop confidence for using online training
one, formed of volunteers
from across the UK who had come
do RDA? The answer? Adapt and their communities, visiting schools so that I can still get awards. I’m so proud to
innovate. Lockdown gave us the and care homes, as well as special
forward with ideas of how RDA motivation to develop a very visits to those isolating at home.
be part of RDA...
could get going again as soon as different kind of RDA experience, A sensory experience was also FIONA JONES, RIDER, GORDON RDA
restrictions allowed. This group but still with horses at the heart developed for care homes and
immediately became a vital part of things. other specialist settings, to bring
IN THE NUMBERS
of our response to COVID, turning
36
When it was still possible to the sights, smells and feel of the
government guidance into practical
6 THE FUTURE
deliver face-to-face activities, stable yard directly into people’s
advice, and helping to create new
and adapted activities for when
groups offered Quiet Corners, hands. ROAD TO RESTART
lockdown eased.
of our reopened
groups have
CASE STUDY introduced new In February/March 2021, where the vast
or adapted majority of participants had been unable to
JOINED-UP THINKING activities access face to face RDA activity for a whole
As an RDA volunteer and a year, we drove a five-week programme
Speech & Language Therapy called ‘Road to Restart’. Each week focused
Clinical Coordinator for my local on a specific theme, echoing the challenges
NHS Trust it was great to be part groups faced in being able to restart:
of the working party and to feel I building trustee confidence; preparing
was helping groups during what groups for restarting; horse fitness;
has been a very difficult time. I welcoming participants back into RDA
tried to align our RDA guidance and fundraising. Each
with what I was being told at week, resources and
ADAPTED ACTITIES live webinars were
the NHS, and to make sure we
were always up-to-date with the OUR TA-DAH produced to tackle
latest government advice. It has LIST... I go to Quiet Corner every the topic and signpost
been great to be able to talk to week and I enjoy it. It gives further support.
CASE STUDY
volunteers from other groups and me social contact and breaks the
work together to find practical QUIET CORNERS – A SAFE SPACE l ‘Quiet corners’
l Long reining isolation of lockdown. It gets me out
solutions for getting activity We wanted to find an activity for people who couldn’t get
restarted safely... l Groundwork of the house for time outside in the
back to riding because of social distancing. Even having
THERESA DRAKE, RDA VOLUNTEER people on the yard meeting the ponies didn’t feel safe or
l Sensory fresh air with horses. I’m learning
experience
distanced enough. Quiet Corners was a secluded space where about the ponies and how to relate
people could spend time with a pony – but it soon developed l Grooming and
horsecare
to them. It’s not the physio that I
another meaning: a place for quiet thought and mindfulness.
l Visits to schools get from actually riding, it offers
It became a corner where people could sit, spend some time,
stroke a pony and talk if they wanted to. We’ll definitely be and care homes more, and different movements to
carrying on with it in the future... l Online resources what I do in the rest of life...
KAREN THOMPSON, RDA UK LEAD, COACHING OTTER BAKER, RIDER, WELLOW RDA
5 NOV 6 NOV 3 DEC CRISISSE JAN 2021 14 JAN 28 JAN 4 FEB
Second lockdown Princess Anne chairs England introduces RESPOLNINE Third round of RDA announces Weekly ‘30-minute RDA featured on BBC
begins in England. RDA AGM on Zoom three tier system. TIME group grants ‘Virtual National Webinar’ series news at 6pm
Scotland introduces
5-tier system.
RDA activity resumes
with pre-lockdown
2021 awarded, totalling
£83,000
Championships’
in September
begins (6m+ viewers)
restrictions
6 Our Impact Our Impact 7
A MESSAGE OF GRATITUDE
THANK YOU...
I
n a year which has seen change for us to provide advice, guidance and financial
all, the constant has been the support assistance to help groups to get started
of our incredible donors. Thanks to after lockdown.
you we have been able to continue Together, we have ensured that the
supporting our community of volunteers RDA community continues to make a
and disabled riders. positive impact on the physical and mental
This year, your support has enabled us wellbeing of all our participants.
29th May 1961 George Goodsir Manson Family Sharegift
Charitable Trust Charitable Trust Charitable Trust Sir Arthur Black Trust
Aird Charitable Trust GF Charitable Trust Marantha Evangelistic Sir Cliff Richard
ALBORADA Trust Gilander Foundation Ministries International Charitable Trust
Andrews Bowen Gledswood Marston Charitable Trust Sir Peter O’Sullevan
Aylesford Family Charitable Trust Maxwell Morrison Family Charitable Trust
Charitable Trust Godolphin Charitable Trust Smithers Purslow
Bedmax Harris Family Trust Michael & Anna Wix Sport England
Hartpury College Charitable Trust On behalf of
Bell DR & RE St Maur
Charitable Trust Hasluck Charitable Trust Middlesex Sports The Association of Inner our players at
Benevity Charitable Hazel & Lesley Peskin Foundation Wheel Clubs of Great People’s Postcode
Charitable Trust Miss Mary DM Andrew Britain and Ireland
Giving
Charitable Trust
Lottery we are proud
Blakemore Foundation Helen Rice Foundation The Trefoil Guild
Helianthus Trust Möbile People.Powered. to be long-term
Boehringer Ingelheim The Tomoro Foundation
Bothwell Charitable Trust Hirst Foundation Logistics
Tudor Foundation supporters of RDA.
Hobson Charity Mrs FB Laurence We’ve seen first hand
British Equestian Trade UK PonyCon
Charitable Trust
Association Homelands
MSD
Wainwrights Screenprint the life-changing
Charitable Trust
Brownlie Trust
Howden Muddy Mare
Whitewater Ltd impact of their
CA Rookes Worshipful Company
Charitable Trust HPower Group National Animal Feeds
of Loriners
fantastic work on the
CAF Resilience Fund HSBC Nicholas Jones
Worshipful Company RDA community of
Charitable Trust
Cairnfold Charitable Ian Askew of Saddlers disabled riders and
Charitable Trust Oliver Wight EAME LLP
Trust
Pantheon Charitable
YBS Charitable volunteers across
Carron Charitable ICAP Charity Day Foundation
Jack Lane Trust
Zoetis
Great Britain...
Settlement
Charitable Trust Pauline Bishop
Cassidy Group Charitable Trust
Childs Farm JFC Agri INDIVIDUAL DONORS
JM Finn & Co Players of People’s RDA empowers
Childwick Trust Postcode Lottery Thank you to all of the
CMS Foundation
John Walter Wynne individuals who have people young
PoshMuckerz
Dodson and Horrell
Charitable
Princess Anne’s Charities
supported RDA either and old to do more, be
Discretionary Trust through a donation,
Dumbreck Charity Leonard Laity Stoate Roger & Irene Graham more and have more
raising funds through
Elba Trust Charitable Trust Charitable Foundation fun activities, In fun. What’s not to love!
Elvy Charitable Trust Lillie C Johnson Salesforce Foundation Memorium or through JOANNA JENSEN,
Gallus Trust Charitable Trust Sandra Charitable Trust a legacy. FOUNDER, CHILD’S FARM
11 FEB 18 FEB 29 MAR
Dedicated YouTube Park Lane Stables Return to
channel for RDA RDA reaches 23 FEB organised outdoor
training and £1million Launch of ‘Road activity in
information fundraising to Restart’ England
target
LOOKING
AHEAD
The work continues to reopen
STAY IN TOUCH our groups and welcome all
our participants back as
RDA, Lowlands Equestrian Centre, Old Warwick Road, Shrewley, Warwickshire CV35 7AX soon as possible
t 01926 492915 e info@rda.org.uk w rda.org.uk
Facebook Riding for the Disabled Association Twitter @RDAnational Instagram RDAUK
Registered Charity No. 244108 and SCO39473 (Scotland). RDA is a Fundraising Regulator member and we follow its Code of Fundraising Practise
Impact Report designed & produced by Amelia Clark. ClarkXpress Ltd. e amelia.clark01@gmail.com t 07813 774813. Supplementary images: adobestock
8 Our Impact
You can also read
