Mission
Statement as per the charity commission web site;
TO PROMOTE THE OBJECTS OF THE RIDING FOR THE DISABLED
ASSOCIATION INCORPORATING CARRIAGE DRIVING A CHARITY REGISTERED
UNDER CHARITY NUMBER 244108 ("THE ASSOCIATION") BY PROVIDING
DISABLED PEOPLE WITH THE OPPORTUNITY TO RIDE AND/OR CARRIAGE
DRIVE TO BENEFIT THEIR HEALTH AND WELL BEING IN THE DORSET
AREA.
The East Holton Driving
Centre is staffed entirely by volunteers, both disabled and non
disabled people.
Our ethos is to accept people as they are;
* To enable and empower people with or without disability.
* We give people a larger say in their own destiny.
* We promote and are trained in Disability Equality and Diversity.
* All staff is CRB checked and are familiar with the EHDC child
and Vulnerable Adult Protection policy.
* We have up to eight first aid trained staff, who attend our
sessions. All our qualified RDA whips are first aid trained.
Health and Safety and Insurance
* We have full insurance provided by the RDA membership. This
also covers employers' insurance, because we take year 10 and
11 school students on work experience, also students from Kingston
Mauward, the local agricultural college.
* Risk assessments at EHDC are done prior to every session.
* People with disability attend, along with their carer, and initially
work in unison with a mentor a fully trained member of the EHDC
staff.
* Stables are run to a routine that is beneficial to horses and
staff alike. Disabled people particularly respond well to routine.
* All our fire regulations are met and kept up to date and are
regularly check by The Bourne Fire Prevention Company and the
check certificates are displayed. We also have a no smoking policy
at the stables.
* Using these methods we have satisfied all the requirements on
Health and Safety checks thus far.
Training
· During training, we progress at what ever pace is necessary
for the individual trainee’s needs.
· Our new volunteers usually begin work with cleaning tasks,e.g.
yard, stables, and tack. Unless they have previous equine experience.
Even then they are mentored by trained staff until their competence
is assured.
· Training is progressive and is taken forward a pace that
is comfortable for the trainee.
· We don’t have expectations at EHDC. Many disabled
people, particularly the people suffering mental illness have
had too many expectations put on them which has inflamed their
condition. Expectations only lead to apparent failure and disappointment,
which stands in the way of success and confidence when people
want to achieve their goals.
· At EHDC we have a disabled person who is qualified to
instruct carriage driving, and a disabled person who after the
same period of time, can sweep out and manage stable work unsupervised,
can, with a mentor, groom a horse, head hold and ride a bicycle
to escort a drive.
· People’s ability is that diverse. With patience
and persistence, people’s individual goals and ambitions
can be and are met.
It is our aim to promote the EHDC at Ashtree Stables a safe haven
for disabled people, with no stigma, discrimination or prejudice.
We make a concerted effort to take the "dis" out of
disability. Raise personal confidence and promote self esteem.
Funding
In 2008 we lost the financial support of the Household Cavalry
Association Dorset when they changed their chosen charity to the
Household Cavalry Combat Soldiers Injuries Fund, a charity we
couldn’t oppose. Our income for the year was £9800
and our expenditure totalled £9600 but still a small profit.
Income
* Income from drives.
* Generous donations.
* Fund raising.
Expenditure
* Forage
* Farrier
* Vet (wormer and medication when needed)
* Maintenance of Harness, Carriages, Fencing, Buildings and yard.
* Membership and Insurance
Definition
We are a Horse and Carriage driving group for disabled people
and we do not do any riding.
