Two New Appointments at the Unicorn Centre                                                                                                                      

 

 

The Riding for the Disabled Association’s Unicorn Centre based at Hemlington, near Middlesbrough has made two new appointments to its team.  One of the more usual two-legged type and one new staff member with four!

 

Caroline Murrell has been appointed as Equine Operations Manager and oversees the day-to-day operations of the yard, with responsibility for delivering and expanding the Centre’s activities.  These include delivering riding lessons on the Centre’s 15 horses and ponies for children and adults with additional needs, and its acclaimed Supported Volunteer programme, as well as some new innovative ones.

 

Caroline said, “I'm thoroughly enjoying this new role.  I'm a BHS qualified Stage 4 Senior Yard Manager and Coach in Complete Horsemanship (Stage 3) with a varied equine past including 10 years at a land-based college as an Equine Supervisor and then Equine Facilities Manager, so I bring vast experience and knowledge to the Centre.”

 

Caroline is currently a “RDA Coach in Training” too at the Centre, and will shortly be qualified to coach the Centre’s riders.

 

One of Caroline’s equine team’s first appointments was Acer, a 19 inch miniature Shetland therapy pony. With a heap of “cute factor” he’s already becoming a firm favourite on the yard.

 

Caroline said, “He’s very cute, and has a huge personality too, but he has a very important role to play at the Centre.  He’ll be our “Pat Pony” for our Dementia Friends who come to our monthly Tea with a Pony sessions, for visits from local community groups such as Rainbows, Beavers and Squirrels, our new NHS children’s services and for our Pony Care sessions in the school holidays.  He’s very happy to stand and be groomed for ages, and loves all the fuss and attention.

 

She went on, “He’s going to be a great ambassador for the Centre too as we’re planning to take him out to fundraising and publicity events.  How can anyone fail to love him?”

 

The appointments have been made to enable the Centre to continue its recovery from the impact of the Covid 19 pandemic, which had a devasting effect on the charity’s income. Huge efforts to aid the recovery continue by staff and Trustees by offering new activities, and by fundraising, applying for grants and encouraging donations. Donations can be made by its Just Giving page RDA Unicorn Centre - JustGiving.

 

The Centre celebrates its 25th Birthday this year, and various activities are planned to mark this great achievement.