Our busiest year ever, but it’s the stories behind the stats that matter

We’ve been reviewing the numbers from our last financial year, and if we’ve felt extra busy all year, it’s because we were!

In the year ending 31 May 2023 we welcomed 57% more participants than the previous year, of whom 72% were new RDA members. We ran a staggering 6,065 sessions for 1,080 participants during the year, compared to 4,023 in 2021-2022. And although 86% of our participants are under the age of 18, our regulars comprise all ages and ethnicities.

But behind the stats are the individual stories we’ve been a part of. Let me introduce you to some of them:

Lewis is a regular who visits weekly all the way from Hemel Hempstead. A full-time wheelchair user with complex disabilities, he is supported by two carers at all times. But Lewis is also passionate about carriage-driving. Up there with David or Mahmoud he is king of the road, a happy member of the Park Lane Stables family. And when not driving, you might see him sweeping the yard from his wheelchair. He also loves hosing down the horses, though we suspect this is partly a cover for when he ‘accidentally’ turns the hose on us…

Jasmine was just a regular teenager who developed a neurological condition which means she is now a wheelchair-user with limited mobility. Unsurprisingly her confidence had taken a punishing. When she first started visiting it was always at quiet times. Now those are in short supply, so having talked with her and her aunt, we tried visits when we were busy. And Jasmine has blossomed. She adores Spotty, and we got some specially adapted brushes so that she can groom him. She’s now joined the Pony Club as a non-rider, and is working to gain her pony care badges.

Seeing Jasmine’s progression, from the low times to smiling and happy, is just the best thing for us. Life will never be easy, but her story again shows that being with horses is about much more than riding. And Jasmine’s visits to Park Lane Stables provide a focus for her week, and give her aunt a break too.

Teenager Dhanesh was referred to us for equine therapy to help with guilt and depression resulting from a trauma in his life. He doesn’t (at the moment) want to ride, but we’ve seen his confidence start to grow and depression to lift as he’s spent time with the horses and started to come to terms with his past.

Ada had become socially isolated and had very low self-esteem when she was also referred to us for equine therapy. For her, this has helped her turn a corner – to the extent that we expect her to soon join our team of volunteers.

Blake’s depression was so severe that he had, though he was just 11, tried to take his own life. Miraculously, his love for Spotty is helping him to turn that corner too. After six weeks of equine therapy sessions he decided to join the Pony Club as a non-riding member, and is also currently earning his badges in pony care. And who knows, maybe one day he’ll start riding with us.

We’ve been able to help Lewis, Jasmine, Dhanesh, Ada and Blake with the support of a LOT of people. H&L Motors provided our specially-adapted carriage which enables a wheelchair user to safely drive, and which is transforming lives. Some participants are supported by funding from schools, local authorities, and charities such as Skylarks. This still leaves many participants funding themselves. We part or fully-fund some where we can, and where the needs are greatest, but we’d love to be able to do more.

Doing what we do is resource-intensive as many participants need the support of several people, staff and volunteers. We fundraise constantly, and are eternally grateful for the donations we receive from so many generous supporters. Thank you all.

If these stories have touched you, do consider donating. All money received goes directly into helping more people like Lewis, Jasmine, Dhanesh, Ada and Blake – and the other 1,075 participants we welcomed last year.

These stories are only too real, but names have been changed