Ballyclare Group RDA

Public benefits

Public Benefit Statement for RDA Groups in Northern Ireland The public benefit of Ballyclare Riding for the Disabled Group (here in after known as the Group), is to enhance the health and well-being of people with disabilities through the delivery of effective and life-enhancing therapy; (in terms of greater mobility, balance, core strength,

self-confidence) the opportunity to learn new skills and achieve personal goals and ambitions; and the chance to enjoy taking part in a social activity that promotes general well-being. This benefit is demonstrated by the outcomes achieved for the beneficiaries (, which is backed by clear research evidence that shows the positive physical and psychological impact of the activity for the participants. In addition to this, there are a number of secondary benefits which the charity delivers – particularly the improved communication and learning ability of school-age beneficiaries and the sporting success achieved by some beneficiaries. The Group only works with people with disabilities, although we act to ensure that no person is excluded from our activity where there is space for them within the Group and the appropriate equipment and support is available. Most of our beneficiaries would be unable to access this activity if this Group did not exist to provide the service and support them to do so. No private individual benefits from the existence of this Group, other than through the delivery, to them, of the activity and this is purely incidental. Equestrian activity carries inherent risk to both the beneficiary and the volunteers involved. Any potential risk and harm is offset by the Group operating within the guidelines and operating procedures set out by Riding for the Disabled Association (RDA), the national Federation to which the Group is affiliated to. These set out the standards and procedures by which the Group operates, including the minimum standard of qualification of the people responsible for the activity at any time. In this way we ensure that at any time, all activity is guided and supervised by an appropriate person and the highest standards of safety and welfare are maintained. The charity’s trustees are clear about the purposes of the charity and understand their obligation to advance and promote these purposes.

What your organisation does

RDA Groups are working with people with a range of dissabilities and reasons for taking part. Groups provide specialist tuition, training and support for people with dissabilities to ride, carrige drive or take part in equestrian vaulting. Without this support most of our participanats would be unable to take part in these activities.