LAURA FORBES WITH MURPHY 2
VOLUNTEER YOURSELF TO FITNESS
Researchers at Cambridge University have recently concluded that getting everyone to do at least 20 minutes of brisk walking a day would have substantial benefits to their health.
Staff at the Riding for the Disabled Association’s Unicorn Centre, at Hemlington near Middlesbrough believe volunteering could be a great way for local people to achieve this.
The Centre is looking for active people who could spare one hour a week to help disabled young people do something they really love – horse riding.
It’s calculated that during a one hour riding lesson, riders and their helpers usually circuit the arena up to 20 times, which works out at 1.8 miles. And if they trot too, it would be much more, so that’s a good work-out for volunteers!
Each rider needs at least one, and up to three people to help them in their riding lesson: one to lead the pony and one or two to walk alongside, assisting by either relaying information, correcting riding position, demonstrating exercises or giving support and encouragement. And with 5 – 6 riders per one hour lesson, the Centre needs a lot of volunteers each week.
Centre Manager Claire Pitt said, “Volunteers forget that as well as benefitting the riders, they are helping themselves too, with lots of fresh air and exercise. I would really like to find someone who would donate some pedometers for our volunteers, so that we can get an idea of how far they really are walking. I think we could all be very surprised.”
She continued, “After all the Christmas excesses, helping with our riding lessons could be the answer to avoiding those awful diets. It’s free and it’s fun. You don’t have to be horsey; all we’re looking for are people with compassion and a willingness to commit just one hour a week. That’s not much to ask surely?”
Laura Forbes started volunteering at the Unicorn Centre in 2008. She quickly became “hooked” spending more and more time helping out. Now, she’s employed as a Support Worker on our Supported Volunteer Scheme.
Laura said, “I can appreciate the Unicorn Centre from several different aspects, as a rider, a volunteer and as an employee. It’s a brilliant place to be, and I can’t wait to get to work every day. I would really recommend that people try volunteering here – the atmosphere of friendliness coupled with professionalism is amazing.”
Potential volunteers are invited to get in touch with Volunteer Co-ordinator Emily Richardson on 01642 576222 or email her at This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it. to find out more about the Centre’s state-of-the-art facilities, meet the staff, other volunteers and ponies, and start the application process.