Volunteering with us

As a volunteer, you'll play a crucial role in helping our riders feel supported and confident during their lessons. We have a variety of volunteering opportunities available, and we welcome anyone with a passion for helping others and a love of horses. If you're interested in making a positive impact in our community, please read on to learn more about our volunteer positions.

Volunteer Riding Helpers

Do you love ponies and have a passion for helping others?

Our centre is in need of volunteer riding helpers to assist riders with mounting and dismounting safely, lead the ponies during lessons, and provide support during riding sessions.

This is an active and rewarding role that requires physical fitness. We currently have vacancies on Friday and Saturday mornings.

Please note that volunteers must be 14 years of age or older. If you're interested in learning more, please email us at tdrc@live.co.uk.

WhatsApp Image 2023-04-22 at 21.31.47.jpg

Volunteer Fundraiser

As the cost of living continues to rise, charities like ours are in great need of dedicated fundraisers.

We already have an amazing team of fundraisers, but we are looking for individuals to help us apply for grants and write to trusts.

If you're up for the challenge and want to make a difference in your community, please email us at tdrc@live.co.uk.

Volunteer Trustee

Are you looking for a rewarding role with plenty of exciting challenges? We're currently seeking working trustees to help our board oversee the charity.

We are particularly interested in individuals with trustee experience, safeguarding backgrounds, and policy experience. However, we also welcome those who are enthusiastic and eager to learn.

If you're interested in becoming a trustee, please contact us at tdrc@live.co.uk.

Hear from our volunteers & riders

Nora

Started at Sackett Hill RDA group then I went onto Fairfield where I borrowed ponies for the riding school from Bromstone, And then they bought two ponies of their own, who were named Blaze and Sonny.

They also had two ponies come for bed and breakfast every Friday and then they went back on Monday.

The stables soon close down for houses so I went searching for land. I came across a lovely piece of land which is where we are today. I've now been there for 35 years and still going strong.

Thanks to everyone that’s supporting Stables.

A young child wearing a black riding helmet stands beside a black-and-white horse. The child is smiling, proudly displaying a medal and rosette. A woman, likely the instructor, stands to the right holding the horse's reins, smiling as well. The scene takes place outdoors, with a barn or stable in the background surrounded by greenery and trees. Both the child and woman are dressed in casual, equestrian attire.

Louisa Carey (riders mum)

The centre means a great deal to Charlie and our family, he was reffered from physiotherapy end of 2019 and they are still as dedicated to helping children then as they are now.

The riding has helped Charlie build up his core muscles and helped his joints in his legs.

Charlie enjoys the games in the school helping him learn in a fun and supported way as well as hacks down to the beach. Thank you RDA for all you do for him and so many others.

A young rider wearing glasses and a black helmet stands beside a black-and-white horse in an outdoor setting. The rider is smiling and wearing a green "Thanet Disabled Riding Centre" shirt, with the horse close by, bridled and ready for riding. In the background, there are trees and open space, and the environment has a calm, supportive atmosphere.

Molly (rider and therapy client)

I love going to the centre because it's nice and quiet and calming, I like learning lots of new things about how to care for horses, I enjoy being around all the horses, but especially Bertie, it's my favourite place to be.

June

I have been with horses from a very young age it’s in my genes. My grandpa had two lovely Shire Horses working life. I began to ride at the age of 11 and ended when I was 60.

I have lived in Broadstairs all my life I married Anthony in 1966 had our first son Mark in 1969 and our second son David 1971.

We were devastated when David was diagnosed with Becker muscular Dystrophy at the age of 12. There was little known about the disease at the time. Mainly given expectations of a short life span.

Over the years we became members of the muscular Dystrophy campaign, to make life easier for all those disabled. I have been with Nora for many years and still do the ponies hay Monday to Friday.

Gives me a purpose get up in the morning and see the lovely smiley faces and all the children that attend the school

Two adults, a man and a woman, stand on either side of a white horse, posing for the camera. Both individuals are dressed in green hoodies and are smiling, gently holding the horse. The scene is set outdoors in a riding arena with trees, a fence, and a house visible in the background under a clear blue sky. The relaxed, casual setting suggests they are part of a horse care or riding program.

Terry and Sandra (volunteers)

Being a Volunteer at the TDRC is a fulfilling experience.

The Centre, Staff and Ponies are wonderful to work with.

It is fantastic to see the development the Disabled Children get each time they come, and it is great to see the acheivement
and development they get week by week, in learning, posture and well being.

Would you like to join the team?

All help is welcome, we are always looking for more volunteers to help take care of our horses. If this sounds like something that you would love to do in your spare time then please contact us today.

tdrc@live.co.uk