Tuesday 3 December was International Day of People with Disabilities (IDPWD) and Virtue Health Service’s Karen Stanley teamed up with Riding for the Disabled (RDA) at Rossington Hall near Doncaster to learn more about how this incredible organisation supports people with disabilities.
For the last 50 years, charity Riding for the Disabled has enriched lives through horses. Each year, their activities benefit the lives of over 25,000 disabled children and adults providing therapy, fitness, skills development and opportunities for achievement. Since 1992, people have come together for an international day of celebration of the lives of people with disabilities. What better way to celebrate this year, than with a day spent with people who are dedicated to ensuring everyone can get involved with horses- whatever their ability.
Karen Stanley, Head of Development and Commissioning at Virtue said, “Here at Virtue, we hope this is the start of a great working relationship, involving voluntary placements and riding lessons at the RDA in Rossington for the individuals who will live in our community pathway services.”
Luke said that volunteering at RDA was fun. He told Karen, “I like horses. I brush the horses and help to put on their saddles for the riders. I love Daisy the horse and I want to help every week.” Ashley said, ‘They help me on to the horse and teach me to count how long I hold up the reigns.”
Karen really enjoyed her day at Rossington Hall, saying: “I have learnt so much today and it is great to see how volunteers and visitors of RDA Doncaster work together to ensure everyone can get involved. If any of the people we support have an interest, there is so much they can do – from job placements doing administration and support to looking after the horses. As Virtue, we could even adopt a horse!
“My favourite part of today was seeing the riders doing so well – but I’m not keen to make mucking out the stalls a regular part of my day!”
In 2019, International Day of People with Disabilities is called “The Future Is Accessible.” The organisation call upon everyone with their mission: “The future is accessible means that we must all, together, look towards a future where the barriers which stand in people’s way no longer exist. We envisage a future where people can access a building without using stairs; where a person can access a ramp to the beach; or can get a job without fear of discrimination; or can access a mainstream classroom.
“Working towards an accessible future is everyone’s responsibility. With us, create a future which demands that people are not excluded because of their health impairments. Call out barriers wherever you see them, and work with us to overcome them.”