Volunteering

We welcome new volunteers to help with all aspects of our weekly rallies.

No previous experience with horses or people with disabilities is necessary as training is given. All volunteers follow NZRDA standardised training programmes to achieve the required proficiency. Tōtara Park Group has a number of coaches. Some are progressing towards completing their NZQA qualifications to become RDA Equine Coaches.

We also involve therapists and specialists who work with the coaches and sidewalkers to ensure the rider gets the maximum therapeutic benefit from the movement of the horse.

With every horse or pony we have a leader and either one or two side walkers, depending on the ability of the rider.

Volunteering is fun and healthy!

Volunteering with RDA offers you the opportunity:

to work with horses and learn more about them
to meet people and make new friends from all walks of life
to learn new skills
to benefit from exercise while walking with the riders
to travel the country to conferences, seminars, etc.
to help enrich the lives of people with disabilities in the community

What hours do we work?

On riding days (Monday, Tuesday and Thursday during school terms and weather permitting) we need our volunteers to assist with riders or act as horse leaders for the following times:

Mondays 9.30am – 1.30pm
Tuesdays 9am – 11.00 ( volunteers needed)
Thursdays 9.30am – 1.30pm

There are 3 riding sessions on Monday and Thursday, with 2 sessions on a Tuesday. Some volunteers may not be able to stay for all rides but we are grateful for what time they can give us.

Volunteer hours are not just restricted to our riding days. Maybe you can’t volunteer during the day but are interested in being part of RDA. Here is a list of other areas where we need volunteers.

We graze 9 TPRDA horses which all need daily attention
Rider files, individual rider therapy plans, training programmes, rosters, etc., all need formulating and updating
Committee work – including finance, PR, etc.
Fundraising committees spend many hours raising money to help cover our expenses.
It is estimated that over 25,000 volunteer hours are spent each year on our RDA Group

We are always looking for more volunteers!

The Tōtara Park RDA team at the 2022 Xmas lunch hosted by Garth & Chris Wilcox.

Volunteering is fun and healthy!

Volunteering with RDA offers you the opportunity:

What hours do we work?

Volunteer hours are not just restricted to our riding days. Maybe you can’t volunteer during the day but are interested in being part of RDA. Here is a list of other areas where we need volunteers.

We are always looking for more volunteers!

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