Volunteer Sidewalkers (Orkney Riding for the Disabled Association)

Volunteers are essential for our RDA to run. Giving your time to the group will mean that more disabled people can enjoy the therapy and fun of horses. We are looking for Sidewalkers who walk alongside our Riders helping them get the most from their riding session. The sidewalker works in a team with the horseleader, coach and rider. There are normally 2 sidewalkers for each of our riders.

What could a volunteer gain from the experience?
The opportunity to learn new skills; make a difference; make new friends; be part of a team; enjoy being around horses; improve your fitness; and boost your CV.

Experience required

You don’t need to have lots of experience with horses however you do need to be happy to be around them.

Training details

You don’t need to have lots of experience with horses however you do need to be happy to be around them. There will be two training sessions to start with for Volunteers (new and returning) and for our horses. These will be held on Thursday the 18th and 25th of September 2025 and it would be useful for new Volunteers (or those considering becoming a Volunteer) to come along to these sessions. As we have to wait for PVG checks to come through it can sometimes take a little time to get our Volunteers sidewalking with our horses and riders.

Restrictions

A level of physical fitness is required as most of our Volunteer sidewalkers accompany the Riders and horses around the Riding Centre arena. This is mainly walking and running skills are not required.

Availability

Frequency & commitment

This year our autumn / winter term starts on Thursday the 18th of September and will go on until Thursday the 11th of December with a break for the October holidays. A rota will be made of the dates Volunteers are able to attend each term. It is useful if Volunteers are able to commit to a term as it gives our riders continuity.

I want to volunteer