Riding for the Disabled Association (RDA) is a federation of over 400 independent charities (RDA groups). Our horses benefit the lives of over 17,000 disabled children and adults. With fun activities like riding and carriage driving, we provide therapy, fitness, skills development and opportunities for achievement – all supported by 13,000 volunteers and qualified coaches.
RDA is a diverse and inclusive organisation, welcoming clients with long-term health conditions, impairments or illness, and there are no age limits.
We are the only national UK charity whose focus is squarely on the therapeutic benefits of bringing people and horses together.
Our mission is to ensure that anyone with a disability can benefit from the unique bond between humans and horses, and we have been transforming lives through horses for over five decades.
RDA UK
RDA UK provides support services, leadership and guidance to member groups, to help ensure the best possible experience for participants, and to promote the growth and development of the whole organisation. Our activities include volunteer training, the delivery of our coaching pathway, education programmes, governance and safeguarding support, research and insight, brand awareness and fundraising support.
Governance
The Board governs RDA UK and is made up of 10 Trustees – some elected by Member Groups and some recruited directly. It is supported by the National Office team and the volunteers that make up RDA UK (a network of regional, county and national volunteers). Member Groups are separately registered individual charities, tied into RDA by the membership agreement and adherence to the operating procedures agreed by RDA UK. This requires Groups to fulfil specific obligations covering how they operate.