It’s been another successful year for Forres, Nairn & District Riding for the Disabled, as it held it’s AGM and looked back on the last 2 months.
Sonia Howell, outgoing chair, commented: “This past year has been a much calmer and positive year, but still challenging for our fantastic group of volunteers. The statistics alone demonstrate not only the significant role we play in the lives of so many disabled children, but also the huge amount of work that is required of our group.
“In the 12 months to April 2023, 61 children participated – if each child riding 1 day is a session, we had 719 sessions! That’s a lot of riding! And this year will undoubtedly produce the same results. The reality is that demand is far higher than we can meet – we could probably run 4 or 5 days a week – if we had the funds and the volunteers.”
Emma Gregg, incoming chair, continued: “Our activities rely on a large group of volunteers who attend on Monday mornings come rain or shine. It was very gratifying that 19 new volunteers joined our group this year – and for that, we are very grateful. 2023 also saw the launch of our latest initiative – Tea with a Pony – a session for those with dementia or other cognitive impairment.
“Participants come along and spend some time interacting with the ponies, usually grooming, and then have tea and cake. It is really something special to be part of – to see the smiles and the expression on the ladies’ faces as they wield their brushes.”
Sonia added: “What has become even clearer and more prominent this year is just how wide we spread joy, happiness and pony magic. We see an immediate difference – the smiles on the children’s faces every Monday morning – the happy noises as they get back on the bus. But there is a significant ripple effect for families and friends.
“There are lots of examples
- ‘He just loves his riding, and if he’s happy, we can be happy too.’
- “Another parent who told us how much their son loves Mondays now – smiling all the way to school knowing he’s going riding.
- “Another parent who said: ‘I love Mondays, I can bring him and not have to make any excuses for his behaviour – because you understand him. You don’t judge us and I can relax.’
- “A granddaughter who was astonished that the granny she was used to seeing sitting silently on the couch not engaging with anyone was chatting away, smiling and grooming like an expert.
- “The two daughters who brought their mums to Tea with a Pony and whilst they were grooming, they got to chat – to talk to someone who knew EXACTLY how they are feeling, to compare notes, to understand.
- “The gentleman who donated £100 at a coffee morning for “the amazing things you have done for my daughter.”
Emma concludes: “The trustees over recent years have done an amazing job – I would like to thank them personally for the dedication they have shown – in particular, Sonia Howell and Julie Campbell, Chair and Vice-Chair respectively – for steadying the ship, particularly through those hard Covid times and immediately thereafter. We will do our very very best to emulate them.”