Dear RDA UK volunteers and staff,

I hope some of you have been enjoying the Commonwealth Games this week as much as I have. It’s been a joy to watch countries from across the world come to Birmingham and compete in a fantastic display of para sport and non-disabled sport.

 

Holts Auctioneers Platinum Jubilee Clay Day (Fri 5 August)

We are delighted to have been chosen as Charity of the Event at the annual Holts Auctioneers Platinum Jubilee Clay Day, held on the Royal Sandringham Estate by gracious permission of Her Majesty The Queen, in celebration of the Platinum Jubilee. The proceeds from the event will be donated to RDA. During the day there will be a charity auction with some fabulous lots which you can view and bid online here: https://auctions.holtsauctioneers.com/asp/searchresults.asp?pg=1&ps=25&st=D&sale_no=CH0822  We would be very grateful if you could share this within your networks.
 

Changes to Safeguarding Training

We are currently making changes to how we run our safeguarding training, and this will affect everyone, albeit the changes in Scotland will be different to the rest of the UK. We hope that these changes will create a more robust training and a more efficient way for volunteers to access the training when they need it.

England, Wales & Northern Ireland Only

From September to December 2022, we are going to publish a full list of Zoom safeguarding courses available, and those needing it can book on directly through the events page on MyRDA on a date that suits them. This is not replacing in-person training at a live venue, and where requested we will still be able to set those up. The Zoom training counts as face-to-face and is valid for 3 years upon completion. Please note: Scotland will not be included in the trial at this point in time and should continue to organise their training through regional/national routes as usual.

Scotland Only

Whilst we run our BEF accredited Safeguarding For Equestrians training across the country, it has become clear that to improve the content we deliver and also make this course valid for use within other Scottish sporting organisations, we are now required to include SportScotland Module 1 as part of the training with attendees completing this first, before joining the tutor led sessions. Module 1 is accessed through a training portal named Brightspace. More information can be found on the Safeguarding page of MYRDA.

For any queries, please contact Laura Cartwright lcartwright@rda.org.uk

 

Leaving book for Caroline – Messages welcome

As you will know, Caroline Ward, our fantastic Director of Communications & Insight, will be leaving us in early September. We are putting together a book with messages, stories and pictures of her time at RDA, and lots more lovely sentiments. So, if you would like to send a message, story or picture to be put this book, please either email them to Brigitta Falcini on bfalcini@rda.org.uk or post them to me at: RDA, Lowlands Equestrian Centre, Old Warwick Road, Shrewely, CV35 7AX. Please can you get them to me by Friday 19th August.

 

Annual Report & Financial Statement 2022

The Annual Report & Financial Statement of RDA for 2022 is now available to view here under ‘documents’: https://www.rda.org.uk/charity-governance-trustees/

 

Duke of Edinburgh (DofE) Opportunity Finder

DofE is a great way to attract new volunteers. DofE has an Opportunity Finder service in which Approved Activity Providers can list themselves as an option for individuals undertaking the award. If your Group would like to advertise for DofE volunteers on there, please fill out the form here: https://www.myrda.org.uk/d-of-e-opportunity-finder-form/ and send back to Faye McKenning on fmckenning@rda.org.uk.
If you have any questions, please contact Faye directly.
 
Virtual National Championships entries still open!
Entries for the Virtual National Championships are still open and will close on Friday 30th September. For all the information regarding the Virtual National Championships, please see here: https://www.myrda.org.uk/assets/Schedule-for-Virtual-National-Championships.pdf
 
Grade 7 Scoresheets and Rosettes
All scoresheets and rosettes have been posted to Groups. If a Group has not received these by next week, please direct them to Emma Bayliss on ebayliss@rda.org.uk
 
Championship Refunds
We are currently processing refunds for National Championships via Horse Monkey this week. Please ask Groups to bear with us whilst we work through this.
 
Horses4Health Grant supporting Tea With a Pony

We were delighted to have a great number of applications to the first round of the Horses4Health Grant, which was for supporting Tea With a Pony at our Groups. We are reviewing applications this week and will be in touch with the successful applicants next week. This is a fantastic opportunity and there will be future chances to apply for this Grant again if Groups in your Region are interested.

 
Best wishes,
 
Brigitta Falcini
Communications Coordinator
Riding for the Disabled Association