Home
Who We Are
Activities
Facility Hire
Our Horses
Holidays
News & Events
Contact Us
.png)
On 4th March, the trustees of CSRC hosted a Volunteer Supper to say ‘THANK YOU’ to all the amazing volunteers that selflessly donate their time and skills to the charity.
This annual event is also about recognising volunteers’ length of service to volunteering given to the Clwyd Special Riding Centre and the Riding for the Disabled Association (RDA). The overall total of years for long service awarded on the night was 166 years! Special awards were also presented to volunteers for their unique contribution to the charity.
The evening was held at the local community centre in Cymau, and the delicious food cooked by the trustees. A huge thank you to the Cymau Community Centre for showing great community spirit by coming to the rescue when we needed to change the venue last minute.
Volunteers are a vital part of the success of CSRC. Without their support the Centre simply could not deliver the weekly therapy sessions, maintain the site, or grow the services needed to allow even more people to access the benefits of equine assisted therapy.
CSRC Trustee and current High Sheriff of Clwyd, Kate Hill-Trevor (pictured above), presented the awards for Volunteer of the Year, and Young Volunteer of the Year, which went to Sue McDougall and Katy Cowan, respectively.
Kate Hill-Trevor said: “Our volunteers are truly amazing. We are extremely lucky to have such a dedicated team of volunteers, who, every week come together to run the riding, carriage driving, hippotherapy and equine assisted therapy sessions. Every one of them makes a real difference to peoples’ lives, and this evening was about recognising their contribution.
“We are always looking to expand our team of volunteers, not only to help in our sessions but also to help maintain the site. The Centre has been established for over 40 years, and before that it was a working farm. So, as you can imagine, between the buildings and land, there is a constant flow of maintenance jobs! We’d love to hear from experienced, qualified individuals or companies who are keen to volunteer their skills to support a local charity.
“Of course, not everyone has the time to volunteer, but people can still support us at one of our fundraising events. We have some exciting events planned for this year including a barn dance, tennis tournament, drinks party and our Charity Race Day at Bangor-on-Dee Races on 6th September, to name a few.”
Volunteers were asked what volunteering at the Centre meant to them, and here’s what some of them said:
“I am humbled to witness the difference we as a team can make to participants and their families. Donating my time and skills to help others enjoy equine related therapy and activity gives me much loved equine contact.”
“It gives me a purpose later in life. Being able to help and give joy to others by passing on my knowledge.”
“It’s great to feel part of something big, friendly and happy. Being able to do something fun on a weekly basis that makes a difference.”
"I know we are there to make other peoples’ lives better – which we certainly do – but I feel it has had a really magical effect on mine too!”
GET INVOLVED - Just a few regular hours a week from a volunteer can help offer more people the opportunity to enjoy the benefits of equine therapy; and the act of volunteering can help to enhance your own well-being too. And while we need volunteers who can commit to weekly sessions, we are also looking for people who can help for one off events and projects.
TO FIND OUT MORE ABOUT VOLUNTEERING CONTACT: Sara Henney, Volunteering Coordinator on 01352 770446 (Option 4) or email: volunteering@clwydspecialridingcentre.co.uk.
Article featured in Leader Live on 17th March 2024.
.png)
.png)