|
|
|
|
|
|
|
What a very busy but successful term, despite the obvious problems with ill health and low numbers, Term 1 was a good one.
|
|
Volunteers and staff have worked so hard to support us, keep the doors open and the riders on the horses.
|
|
|
|
We had seven riders achieve their goals for the term and they were presented with beautiful wooden trophies with their names engraved upon them. A wonderful sight for us all to witness, the pride and big smile from each of these riders. Well done all of you.
The support from our faithful community has been very much appreciated too. We had two donations of good quality hay delivered and stacked for us. A couple of crates of apples for the team were delivered to the centre and variety of good condition covers and horse tack has been given to use or to sell and raise funds .We have also had continued support financially from community funders and donations. Without this support we would not be able to offer and support so many of the disabled community that come through our doors.
As in any organisation of this size we have some changing faces on the team that support us . Jonet, our valued Committee Secretary and volunteer of over 20 years has retired. Jonet not only worked hard behind the scenes with meetings and admin support but in recent years has offered her services as a judge at the CRDA Dressage afternoons. We will hopefully see her now again visiting some of our special events.
Charles Taylor has now taken on this role as Secretary, having served the committee for a number of years as Riders' Representative.
A new face on the Committee is Liz Hodge who has been kind enough to step into a key role as Health and Safety Officer. This is a big responsibility in an organisation this busy. Welcome Liz and thank you .
Thank you to Angela Larsen who was originally in the this role for Health and Safety, we are so pleased you have remained with us to focus more on being a much valued volunteer and mentor for new volunteers joining us .
We would also like to welcome Elizabeth Smith, mother of our delightful long time rider Hannah. Elizabeth is joining the team to support and help liaise on behalf of all riders, parents and carers as Riders' Representative. I am sure many of you already know Elizabeth and for those of you who are new, I know that she is keen to slowly call in on different days and introduce herself .
I hope that everyone has remained well during the holidays and we have some long, sunny ,warm Autumn days this term for us all to enjoy together .
Happy riding everyone
Pippa Parker
|
|
|
|
|
|
Introducing our new Rider Representative.
|
Hi my name is Elizabeth Smith and I have recently taken on the role of Riders’ Representative for Christchurch RDA. I have to confess that I am short on experience with horses but long on experience with children. We started attending RDA with my daughter Hannah approximately 17 years ago. Hannah has no formal diagnosis but a simple explanation of cerebral palsy type symptoms. When she first attended I would bring her in her wheelchair and she was able to say one or two words. Now over 17 years later she walks into riding and is a non stop chatter box.
|
|
While I am lucky enough to be an “at home Mum” my passion is Highland Dancing. I danced for many years and am now a qualified teacher, adjudicator and examiner with the NZ Academy of Highland and National Dancing. I teacher both boys and girls from the age of 3 to 25 years. I am also the head teacher and chairperson of the Canterbury Caledonian Society Highland Dance Classes.
|
|
Being the parent of a special needs child has had many ups and downs and certainly come with a few challenges. There is no instruction manual and over the years one of the most valuable things my husband Richard and I have learnt is that you are your child’s advocate, and chatting with other parents is an important source of information. So with that in mind, if I can be of assistance in any way during your time at RDA please feel free to contact me. I’m looking forward to visiting each RDA session next term to meet everyone and be of assistance where and when I can.
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Robbie & Rory
|
RDA has been wonderful for my two boys. They are bright, enthusiastic, active, and engaging. My six-year-old is also autistic and my eight-year-old has Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder. From the moment they arrived at Christchurch RDA they were entranced. Rory(6) could not stop smiling. Robbie(8) went in 20 minutes from saying "I don't want to go on the big horse" to getting on the big horse and asking "Is there a bigger horse?". They sit atop their beautiful friends and seem to soak up their warmth and patience. Sometimes their beautiful friends also seem to soak up my boys' stubbornness and refusal to listen! After we leave they start counting down the days until they can come back. They leave calm and content, at peace with the world. Today Rory's answer to "Did everyone have fun?": "Of course, there's nothing more fun in the whole entire world!".
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
In these post-Covid-19 times when many of our funding avenues have completely collapsed, we need your help more than ever!
|
Are you able to help us?
Take a look at what it costs us to keep this enterprise flying...and if you are in a position to help...
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Introducing our new Health & Safety Officer Liz Hodge
|
|
|
|
Originally from Nelson, I trained and worked as a teacher and am married with 3 children. My RDA involvement began in Motueka 1983 and roles held in the 12 yrs were volunteer, coach with a Community coach qualification, horse carer and president. I also joined the NZRDA Training team. From 1995 I worked at the Templeton Centre, firstly at the school, then 5 years in the RDA riding unit. When the Centre closed I was redeployed to CDHB Mental health Service for 6 yrs. I then returned to teaching as an OR specialist teacher at Rolleston School. Since retiring 3 yrs ago I have volunteered at CRDA.
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Our riders love going outside on a beautiful sunny day.
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Volunteer Assistants
|
If you enjoy working with Horses and /or Special Needs persons, Christchurch Riding for the Disabled needs Volunteer Assistants!
|
|
We hold sessions 9:00am - 2:30pm each weekday during school terms.
|
Our Coaches depend on volunteers to lead horses and
work with riders. Training is given to enable volunteers to feel confident and safe.
|
|
We have had a wonderful response from radio adverts and our many leaflets being displayed on various Community Notice Boards. However, we still need your help - if you can spare one day a week to assist our wonderful Coaches in their efforts to give our Riders the benefit of a therapeutic riding session we would be most grateful.
|
|
|
If you are over 16 years old and can give a few hours, please contact us with your preferred day.
|
|
Please contact our Volunteer Coordinator Annette
|
|
To find out more about Volunteering with CRDA, just click the button...
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
A very big THANK YOU.....
|
|
|
|
This big thank you goes to
|
|
The Kiwi Gaming Foundation for their help in maintaining our building. We had all our roof trusses and support beams stripped and repainted over the Christmas holiday break. It was a huge job done over a 4 week period. This is one of many ways they have supported us over the years and CRDA really
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
We would be so grateful for Tea, Coffee, Milo and Biscuits to treat our Volunteers, especially on a cold winter's day!
|
|
|
|
Funders
|
We would like to thank the following Funders for their support...
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
CRDA SHOP - been there?
Have you been to the CRDA Online Shop yet on the CRDA website?
|
There are lots of items for sale which will not only make great gifts for friends and family, but which will also help us to keep providing our services.
|
|
|
|
|
|
Contact Us
Christchurch Riding for the Disabled
|
|
|
|
Physical address
Northcote Drive, Inside Canterbury Agricultural Park, Wigram,
Christchurch, 8025
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
