Important Update from the RDA Unicorn Centre - 20 October 2025
We want to thank everyone connected with the Centre for your patience, kindness, and amazing support during this challenging time.
For more than 25 years, the RDA Unicorn Centre has been a special place where disabled children and adults have found freedom, happiness, and confidence through the power of horses.
However, our running costs have risen sharply. Feed, bedding, vet care, insurance, and energy bills are all much higher, making it harder to keep the Centre and our horses in good shape. Even so, our commitment to our riders and our work remains strong.
With support from RDA UK, we’re pleased to say that we can now keep the Centre running for at least another six months. This gives us the time to build a clear, sustainable plan for the future — one that helps the Centre grow and thrive.
The Unicorn Centre’s future depends on local leadership and community support. We are asking individuals, businesses, and supporters to come forward and help us.
We’re forming a project board and are especially looking for people with skills in business, finance, fundraising, or strategy. If you can spare some time or expertise, please email unicorn@uptax.co
We also urgently need donations to help keep the Centre open while we plan for the future.
The Board of Trustees of The Unicorn Centre
About The RDA Unicorn Centre
Welcome to the Unicorn Centre, a member group of the Riding for the Disabled Association, based in Middlesbrough in the Tees Valley.
We provide horse-based activities such as riding, equine therapy and volunteering for young people and adults with additional needs in our fully accessible state-of-the art-equestrian facility. With a range of other programmes and activities that help people develop life skills, emotional intelligence and wellbeing, all activities are led by our qualified staff team and supported by our amazing volunteers.
JustGiving Rescue Appeal
Donate now and help secure the Unicorn Centre's future
Please help us to save the RDA Unicorn Centre from the threat of closure. We've launched a new appeal to raise £100,000 to enable us to keep going and your ideas and support will help enormously.
Please donate whatever you can spare to our appeal to secure the future of the Unicorn Centre - every pound will help.
Thank You!
Raised £1980.00 Goal £100,000
HOW TO RIDE HERE
We ask all potential participants to complete an RDA participant application form, so that we can check we can accommodate your needs.
We will contact you to arrange a half-hour assessment session; this is where you will have the opportunity to see our facilities, meet the staff and horses and discuss your requirements and availability for our sessions.
After your assessment we will add you to our waiting list for an available regular riding session. The length of wait can vary considerably depending on your circumstances and the availability of a suitable horse.
VOLUNTEERING
AND SUPPORTED VOLUNTEERS
We can't do it without our volunteers
Volunteers are the life-blood of the Unicorn Centre, helping it to be a special place for everyone by offering their time, empathy, enthusiasm and skills. If you are 14 years or over and would like to join Team Unicorn, get in touch.
We also offer places on our Supported Volunteer Programme for people with additional needs who would like to become part of our welcoming and supportive community.
FACILITIES FOR HIRE
The Unicorn Centre offers state-of-the-art facilities including indoor and outdoor arenas, with dust free surfaces and galleried viewing and a conference room.
The indoor arena has a unique mounting area and hoist for disabled riders and a judge's box.
We also have a computer-aided mechanical horse “Blackberry” for use by our participants and for hire by individuals and groups.
Support Us
We are a self-funding charity, and rely entirely on income from activities, fundraising, grants, events and donations to cover our annual costs.
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