Volunteer

Our volunteers are an essential part of the Epsom RDA team. Without them we couldn’t possibly function.

We have volunteers from a diversity of backgrounds and ages who bring their talents and enthusiasm to contribute to our team. You don’t need previous experience of horses, riding or working with disabled people. Training is provided for all.

Volunteer with us

Read our volunteer stories

Team Volunteering

Find out about team volunteering

A range of ways to get involved

We encourage the involvement of anyone in the community who can give us a few hours of their time.

We need volunteers with a range of skills not just “horsey” ones.

Session Helper

Session Helper Role Description

Our volunteers are an essential part of the Epsom RDA team. You don’t need previous experience of horses, riding or working with disabled people. Training is provided for all.

Volunteers are asked to commit to a regular session. It’s important that the volunteers get to know each other so they can work well as a team and that the riders get to know the volunteers.

We run sessions seven days a week. The sessions provide riding and ground work sessions for participants with disabilities. Each has a team of 15-20 volunteers who prepare the ponies for riding lessons, lead in the school, support riders, and help with yard and field-based tasks.

New volunteers would ideally be comfortable and confident around ponies but we are not looking for experts. We provide full training and supervision for new volunteers until we and they are confident that they can work independently with our ponies and riders.

A typical volunteering day might include:

Pony care (catching-in, grooming, tacking up)
Leading a pony in a lesson
Walking beside a rider with disabilities
Preparing feeds
Clearing fields and stables of droppings
Putting hay out
Sweeping the yard
Having a drink and snack with the team

Fundraising

Fundraising Role Description

The fundraising team:

run a number of events during the year, including Open Days, dressage events, tack sales and other equestrian based events
attending events to collect money or collect cheques
seek sponsorship for activities, to take our riders to dressage, to help maintain the farm, etc
apply for grants for new horses, equipment or more major developments

We are looking for volunteers who feel they could contribute to the above.

Whilst some of the work such running events needs people to be at the farm, the grant applications, acknowledging donations etc. can be done at home and therefore we offer a range of options.

IT Role Description

What does the IT team do?

Manage the day-to-day running of the Epsom RDA Microsoft Office365 suite
Ensure our IT systems are secure and meet compliance regulations
Run training sessions for our users on how to use our IT systems and protect our data
Work on ad-hoc IT projects supporting the mission and strategy of Epsom RDA
Assist with user administration of our Volunteering team within the Office admin environment

We are looking for volunteers who feel they could contribute to these goals. All of our work can be performed remotely and we offer a range of flexible volunteering options to suit you – whether you can offer 1 to 2 hours a week on a regular basis or would prefer a short term/ad-hoc project.

Gardening

Gardening Role Description

The Gardening team carry out programme of works throughout the year to keep the farm looking attractive and welcoming, something that can be so important when you are providing services to those with learning difficulties, autism etc.

If you were interested, you would be working as part of a team who carry out a range of activities from general maintenance such as the planting around the farm to working on our spectacular sensory track.

If you think this may be for you and wish to see what we do and meet some of the existing team, then please email us at volunteer@epsomrda.org.uk and we will be happy to explain the role in more detail.

Maintenance

Maintenance Role Description

The Grounds and Maintenance team carry out programme of works throughout the year to keep our buildings and grounds in good order.

A typical volunteering day might include:

Putting up and fixing fencing
Carrying out repairs and improvements to buildings
Cutting back hedges
Ensuring that the grounds are tidy and safe to use
Laying and fixing pipes
Filling potholes
Assisting with ‘charity day teams’

Or could you help on the admin side of maintenance?

Obtaining quotes for work when things need fixing by external people
Arranging routine checks e.g. fire alarm, CCTV, utilities and pest control

This is a mostly desk-based role but with some work at the yard when meeting contractors.

Get in touch

To find out how to join our community and how you can help make a difference complete the form on this page or email us at

volunteer@epsomrda.org.uk

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