rdasouthscotland | National Office Update

13 May 2021

National Office Update

Dear RDA UK volunteers and staff,

I was sorry to hear about the death of Anne Birkmyre, former County Coach for Worcestershire and founder of Durrance and Kyre groups. Anne was a key figure in the early days of RDA holidays and was regularly involved in the Horsecare & Knowledge at the National Championships. Jeannie Bird, County Chair for Worcestershire says: “Anne was a shining light for RDA, especially in the early days, being totally committed with a never ending supply of love and support for horse and rider and amassing a huge bevy of friends over the years. When she wasn't rushing about the Region on coaching duties etc, Anne would always be a pair of willing hands to any group that was short of a helper. Quite simply, Anne was truly a wonderful and special lady who always saw the best in everyone.”

Our thoughts are with Anne’s family and her RDA friends at this time.

In other sad news, I heard this week about the passing of Barrow Farm RDA founder, Mary Mitchell, who died just before Christmas. Mary’s daughter Anne, who now runs the group (East Region), wrote a lovely obituary in the group’s newsletter. Do let me know if you would like a copy.

Side walkers

The Road to Restart Working Group can now confirm that one side walker from outside the rider’s household/bubble will be permitted to support the rider on the opposite side of the equine to the leader from late May (17 May in England, Scotland and Wales and 24 May in Northern Ireland).

The side walker and leader must be socially distanced by at least 1m at all times. They both must practice good hand hygiene and the side walker must wear a face covering over nose and mouth whilst in the session. The leader must either look away from the rider and side walker at all times or wear a face covering, or can choose to do both. As a reminder, if any volunteers are supporting any participants outside their household/ bubble they must be appropriately trained and with a green card. The COVID-19 basic training record is only for household/bubble members supporting the rider they are in a household/bubble with.

If the rider needs two side walkers then these both must come from the rider’s household/ bubble and (unless the leader is from the same household), the leader must face away from the rider and side walkers at all times or they must wear a face covering. The leader and the side walker on the same side must also aim to be socially distanced as much as possible. This applies to England, Scotland, Wales and Northern Ireland. Two side walkers from outside the rider’s household/ bubble are permitted on the Isle of Man, Jersey and Guernsey where physical distancing restrictions are no longer in force.

The timing of this change is being tied to the level of confidence in each of the respective countries about permitting 2 households to meet indoors and/or to permit contact sport.

It is also proposed when legal limits on restrictions are removed, expected to be 21 June in England, then two side walkers from outside the rider’s household/ bubble will be permitted. Dates for other home countries will be in step with removal of legal limits, these dates have not yet been announced.

New Rider Assessments

A number of groups have asked if they can assess new riders. The answer to this is yes! When doing so, you should aim to be socially distanced as much as you can but if you have to breach social distancing, you should ensure you practice good hand hygiene (sanitise your hands before you come into contact with anyone and immediately afterwards) and must wear a face covering.

30-minute webinar

Next Thursday, 20 May, RDA Endurance

To coincide with Endurance Week and the launch of this year’s RDA Endurance league (see below), we hear from new National Lead for this increasingly popular activity, Gilly Roper.

Tea with a Pony Conference – 19 May, 9-10:30am

A reminder to sign up this Zoom conference on Wednesday 19 May to mark the launch of Tea with a Pony. The conference will focus on the benefits of equine experiences for people living with Dementia, and also how RDA are using the Dementia Friends initiative. Panellists include: Ally Rood (MRes in Horses for Dementia), Lorna Kook (Retired Occupational Therapist), Claire Jenkins (RDA UK Trustee) and Meg Hardman (Chair, Medical Equestrian Association and RDA Honorary Medic)

Please share the details of this conference to anyone you think might be interested – from within and outside of RDA.

Endurance League

As we approach Endurance Week next week, a reminder about the RDA Endurance League, which is running until next April to allow as many groups as possible to take part. Participants can also use a mechanical horse (though they still need to take a real horse’s heart rate!). Carriage Driving groups can add Endurance to their activities.

Find out more about this hugely popular initiative here: www.myrda.org.uk/runningyourgroup/endurance/

Every Mind Matters

This week is Mental Health Awareness week and Every Mind Matters is updating its resources to help conversations about mental health and the things in our daily lives that can affect it. Every Mind Matters - NHS (www.nhs.uk)

RDA Phone lines – may be unavailable 13 May

We will be having our phone lines upgraded at National Office this Thursday 13 May. This is to make it easier for you to get in contact with us as we know there have been problems with our existing system. It is likely that our phone lines will be unavailable during this process but we are unable to indicate when this may occur. If you need to contact someone this Thursday and you are unable to get through on the phone, please email us in the usual way. If you are unsure of our emails, they can all be found here https://www.myrda.org.uk/about-rda/meet-the-team/

Best wishes and stay safe,

Caroline

Caroline Ward
Head of Communication & Insight, RDA UK
01926 405968
cward@rda.org.uk