PRESS RELEASE
THE END OF AN ERA FOR LEARNERS AT THE UNICORN CENTRE
July saw the end of 23 years of the Riding for the Disabled Association’s Unicorn Centre educating young people in City and Guilds Diplomas in Work-Based Horse Care. They had been run in partnership with Middlesbrough College at the Centre in Hemlington, Middlesbrough since it first opened in 1998.
Sadly, funding from the Department for Education has stopped, meaning that the Centre is unable to continue these work-based courses, delivered to over 300 young people since 1998. The courses gave the learners the opportunities to develop skills in horse care and riding as well as providing valuable support to disabled riders at the Centre.
SUMMER RAFFLE WINNERS
Thank you to everyone who purchased raffle tickets for our online Summer Raffle. We raised £642 which was amazing and will be used for Unicorn Centre funds.
Barclays kindly match funded the raffle and we're very grateful for their continuing support.
The lucky winners who were randomly computer selected are:
TEA WITH A PONY - 17th March, 28th April and 19th May 2022
We're inviting people living with dementia, and their carers, to join us for our unique Tea with a Pony events.
The tea parties will take place at 1.30 pm for an hour each month at the Centre in Stainton Way, Hemlington. Guests will be able to watch a pony demonstration by its Supported Volunteers, meet one of the Centre’s special ponies for a pat and have a delicious home-made tea with cakes and biscuits.
In 2019 the Unicorn Centre becoming the first riding establishment and RDA Centre in the country to become officially ‘Working to become Dementia Friendly’. Various activities for people living with dementia were planned, but unfortunately the Covid-19 pandemic meant that these were put on hold until it was able to deliver them safely.
Dementia Champion and Unicorn Centre Trustee Jackie Rubin said, “ Through these activities we want to give fulfilling and enriching experiences with horses to people living with dementia or other similar conditions, in a way which is supportive, safe and inclusive for the person living with a disability, their carers, our volunteers and our horses.
“We’re really looking forward to hosting these tea parties, and hope that they will be the first of many activities we can host.”
Tickets are £5 for each participant and £5 for carers. Please contact the Centre on 01642 576222 for more information and to book places, or download the booking form here and send it to us.
Ends
BACKGROUND
How did Tea with a Pony begin?
Cotswold RDA became increasing aware of the number of people living with a range of life-changing conditions, particularly dementia, for whom horse-riding may not be suitable but who might be helped by some other form of animal-assisted activity involving horses.
Then in 2018 the group took on loan a 20-year-old pony. It soon became clear that he would not be able to cope with the usual workload with riders. But he was charming and very friendly, and the idea emerged to use him in a nonriding capacity and this is when Tea with a Pony was born.
The Unicorn Centre has a similar pony, much loved by all who know him as Spider the Baby Unicorn. No doubt he’ll be playing a part in our tea parties!
IMPORTANT NEWS - EQUINE HERPES VIRUS
As a result of recent local cases of EHV, the Centre has put stringent bio-security measures in place. There will be no horses coming on or off the yard for the time being, so unfortunately the BD Quest Club Event on 16 May will not be going ahead. We ask our staff, volunteers and learners who have horses at other yards to follow strict biosecurity practices and only attend the Centre wearing fresh, clean clothing and use the disenfectant boot dip at the entrance/exit to the Centre and handwashing facilities.
Non-essential visit to the Centre are discourage for the next couple of weeks from anyone who has contact with other horses.
Thank you.
7 May 2021
TEAM UNICORN TIMES
Read all about what's happening at the Unicorn Centre in our first newsletter here
Hope you enjoy it!
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