Jobs with the RDA?

[x.fat-pony.x]

As its getting nearer and nearer to my GCSE's, and leaving school, I have been thinking a lot recently about future career options. I have always wanted to work with disabled people, I am a mentor for disabled children at my school, so maybe there is a possible career by mixing my love for horses into it and helping at an RDA center!
Does anyone else on here work at an RDA centre? Could you give me any info about it, or maybe some websites?
Thankyou! :)

[Vicki&Milo]

I remember when I was switching uni courses from physiotherapy to occupational therapy and went on an OT site to do some research. There was an OT at the bottom working for the RDA-for me that clinched the deal :D

Vicki xx

[Arianrhod]

Its great that you want to work within the RDA. We need all the help we can get :o
Try the RDA website www.riding-for-disabled.org.uk
They are very helpful and will surely try to point you in the right direction
Good luck.
xxx

[alwaysfallingof]

Yes, I have volunteered with an RDA group for years, spent my gap year as a member of staff and work there in uni holidays.

The best way to find out about it is to try volunteering at local groups - if you go onto the link that Arianrhod posted, then you can get to a list of regions - select your region and there should be a list of local groups.

It might be worth going around a few, because they can differ slightly on the emphasis of the group.

It is fantastic work, I couldn't imagine a more rewarding job. However, like everything horsey, and especially because all RDA groups are charities, the pay is awful unless you are very senior.

[LMS]

I don't about in the UK but here in Canada OT's involved in therapeutic riding are as rare & cherished like a rare gem! When a centre has one, we want to keep them! Our centre is so lucky to have one!

[Gnasher]

Hi there,

In my experience it is only the very large full time RDA centres that pay people for their involvment with the RDA. Most groups rely on volunteer power to keep the bank balance happy. One of the groups I work with has a physio, she is a volunteer like the rest of us and has a job elsewhere doing physio.

My recommendation to you would be to go into a career that you can use the skills to support the RDA, eg physio etc, and that gives you the flexibility to donate time to the RDA as a volunteer.

I'm a trainee teacher and use the skills and experience I gain in the classroom to make myself a better RDA Instructor in my spare time :D

Karen xx