The Riding for the Disabled Association’s Unicorn Centre, based at Hemlington near Middlesbrough, has won another plaudit for its Supported Volunteering Programme.

The Centre was awarded the Innovation, Partnership and Enterprise award sponsored by Stockton Riverside College during National Volunteers’ Week at the 2015 Catalyst Achievement Awards at Wynyard Hall, Stockton on Tees.

The Unicorn Centre recently launched the ‘Supported Volunteering Programme’ to help overcome the issue of a large, almost stagnant waiting list of potential disabled riders.  This goal-orientated scheme provides disabled participants with practical horsemanship skills, knowledge, and increases life skills.  Aims are set and tailored to meet individual needs, reviewed regularly and used as a stepping stone to the Centre’s Diploma courses or to independent volunteering.

From participant feedback, the scheme provides an enjoyable experience and an opportunity to meet new people, increase confidence and skills. 

The Unicorn Centre, a registered charity which opened in 1998, is a purpose built riding for the disabled facility which offers riding therapy and learning and training opportunities for almost 200 disabled adults and children from the Tees Valley area each week.

Centre Manager Claire Pitt, said, “This is our second award this year for the Programme as we’ve recently received the national Matrix quality standard too. The Programme provides the Centre with a steady income stream, ensuring it’s sustainable, as well as creating support jobs for existing students and volunteers.

She continued, “Our volunteer co-ordinator Emily Richardson and support worker Laura Forbes have worked so hard with our other volunteer support workers to make this scheme so successful, and we’re now getting lots of enquiries from young people wanting to join Programme.”

Volunteer Joel said, “I love working at the Centre. I’ve made lots of friends and I get loads of help. Grooming the horses is my favourite job.”

For further information about the Supported Volunteer Programme at the Unicorn Centre, please contact the Centre Manager, Claire Pitt on 01642 576222.