Dear RDA UK volunteers and staff,

As we get into the summer months and staff go off on holiday (COVID permitting!), I know it can potentially get harder to reach the people you need in the office. The ‘Meet the Team’ page on MyRDA www.myrda.org.uk/about-rda/meet-the-team/ has the direct numbers of everyone, as well as their areas of responsibility and normal working days. It’s worth taking a look and seeing who works in which teams as this may help you find the right person to talk to, particularly if your first choice is away. You can also dial the mainline number and select the team you want to reach (01926 492915) or email info@rda.org.uk which is picked up each day and forwarded on to the right person.

In other service disruption news, due to a local issue in the postal service, post may be slow coming in and out of National Office at the moment. Apologies if this causes you any problems.

 
 

COVID-19 Update

Recent announcements by Boris Johnson for England and anticipated announcements from the other home countries are likely to remove legal requirements around COVID over the next few weeks.  We will be bringing together our Road to Restart Working Group to consider the latest information and what this means for RDA Groups and sessions. This will be shared through this newsletter and via www.myrda.org.uk website as soon as we are able to do so.  As groups not yet started will have been closed for at least 15 months, there will be things that need to be planned and prepared to ensure groups are safe getting started again and so there will continue to be a requirement to be signed off by National Office to restart, even after legal controls have been removed. 

 
 

Road to restart

Vaulting

We are pleased to say that we now have vaulting protocols that allow not only individual vaulting (which has been possible for some time), but also pairs and teams.  This is available on both the Vaulting page and Road to Restart page on myrda.org.uk and directly here: www.myrda.org.uk/assets/210705_Restarting-Vaulting-Protocols.pdf  

Carriage Driving in Wales

Carriage driving can now take place in Wales. This means that all of our activities can now take place in all areas where RDA operates.

 
 

Reminder: ‘Grand Day Out’

Do please chivvy your groups to take advantage of this offer, which closes on Monday.

Full details here: www.myrda.org.uk/runningyourgroup/holidays/

 
 

RDA Awards

The 2021 RDA Awards are now open for you to nominate volunteers and participants for all their hard work and efforts over the last 12 months. Follow the link to submit your nomination. www.surveymonkey.co.uk/r/2021RDAAwards

 For help and support, please contact Faye McKenning, fmckenning@rda.org.uk / 01926 405966

 
 

Club Matters Volunteer recruitment film

Here’s a useful film we have received from Club Matters containing tips and advice on volunteer recruitment. Worth a look – Mostly relevant to groups but it is particularly good on how to avoid individuals ending up with too many jobs to do (sound familiar?!)

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=sC-y1GSwfQE

 
 

RDA Virtual National Championships 2021

Entries open for the Virtual National Championships on Monday 12 July. All entries are to be made through Horse Monkey.  https://horsemonkey.com/search_events  

There is plenty of guidance around how to video your entry, entering through Horse Monkey and setting up a YouTube account. All of these can be found on MyRDA under National Championships. www.myrda.org.uk/runningyourgroup/national-championships/   

If you have any queries then please do not hesitate to contact Fiona Harris on fharris@rda.org.uk or Emma Bayliss at ebayliss@rda.org.uk .

 
 

BETA and HorseScotland surveys

The latest BETA survey is now live, collecting data about important areas of equestrian life including volunteering, concussion incidence, safety stirrups, riding and spending. This is an opportunity for everyone engaged in equestrian activity to share their experiences and views about a wide range of topics.  There is also the chance to win shopping vouchers for those who complete the survey. Please take part if you can at: https://wh1.snapsurveys.com/s.asp?k=162504340567

HorseScotland survey

Calling all RDA people in Scotland! The HorseScotland participation survey is now live. Please follow the links and take part if you can:

18 and over: https://forms.gle/iBWBjXntfJpdZJov5

Under 18: https://forms.gle/9uNmPZhuaUHZbfBM6

 

Best wishes,

Caroline

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