Community Life Magazine March13

The Saturday Volunteers
What it means to the riders
The riders are small children, young people and
adults who suffer with a wide range of physical and
learning disabilities, mental health and behavioural
problems. Riding is a positive and unique therapy
with highly remedial effects on many levels and the
riders find a huge benefit in the movement of riding,
giving them a freedom and grace they lack when in
a wheelchair or trying to walk. Just simply the action
of riding uses 2000 muscles so helps to improve
balance and strengthens back and leg muscles. Some
children with cerebral palsy don’t have the strength
to sit up, so can ride with a support or can lay back
on the pony. By the second or third week, many of
them are inspired to sit up and, over time, some
have been able to actually support themselves for
a few minutes, a fantastic achievement. The main
focus of the centre is to ensure all the riders can
gain maximum benefit in their own individual way
through their experience.
Emily, 11, has Aspergers
and anxiety issues.
She and her brother
James are regular riders
at the centre. Her
favourite part of riding
is the contact with
the ponies. She loves
the ponies and enjoys
Wave from a young rider
learning how to take
care of them. Riding has helped with her anxiety but
she still gets scared and excited before she gets on
the pony. Once on board, the enjoyment takes over
from the worry. She often says to her Mum on the
way home, “I don’t know why I get scared when I
enjoy every minute of it”.
Her brother, James is 16. He also has Aspergers and
Male rider being led off.
To advertise please call 01234 310521 or email: teresa@communitylifemag.co.uk
CHARITY
can appear withdrawn until he gets to know people.
He is a quiet boy and finds it difficult to express his
feelings, but he always wants to ride even if he is a bit
“under the weather”.
Volunteers and Fundraising
The helpers at the centre vary in ages and skills
and all give an hour or two a week. They are always
looking for more people to help so they can help
more riders and have more instructors. It is a fairly
big commitment to be an instructor and means
offering a half a day a week through term times. You
don’t need to know anything about horses though,
the centre will provide full introductory and ongoing
care and in return you have the opportunity to
help make riding enjoyable, safe and rewarding for
the riders. The Centre also relies on generous local
donations and sponsorship.
If you are interested in helping in any way, please
contact: Jan Tozer on 01234 824469.
www.elisabethcurtiscentre.co.uk
email: elisabethcurtiscentre@gmail.com
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