It's great the way his confidence has improved since he started
at the Diamond. Riding has also helped his stamina'
The Diamond Centre for Disabled Riders is a registered charity, which provides
facilities to benefit disabled children and adults by having regular contact with
horses. The Diamond Centre is a unique establishment for riding for the disabled
and is known and respected world-wide. We are the only RDA Centre in the London
Region offering specialist training in all fields of riding including; dressage,
carriage driving, vaulting and hippotherapy.
'The
Diamond is the only place where I can come and be me – out in the community people
put you into a box and only see your disability'
Our
riders are aged between 4 and 60 years old and each week, with the assistance
of our instructors and helpers, they can enjoy the experience of riding, driving
or vaulting. An experience which gives them the chance to be independent, a sense
of achievement - and puts smiles on their faces!
'I
am grateful for all the hard work put in on my behalf which allows me to ride
at the Diamond and would like to thank all the helpers, staff and especially the
instructors'
It costs more than £250,000 each year
just to run the Centre - and this doesn't include the additional costs which occur,
such as replacing equipment, fences, horses and ensuring our buildings remain
in good condition. We rely solely on fees, donations, bequests and fund raising
events in order to survive.
'I am
grateful for all the hard work put in on my behalf which allows me to ride at
the Diamond and would like to thank all the helpers, staff and especially the
instructors'
In May 2004 we celebrated
our 30th Birthday with a visit from HRH The Princess Royal, who is President of
the Riding for the Disabled Association. The Diamond Centre's Trustees are looking
forward to the next 30 years and planning to ensure that the future of The Diamond
Centre is secure so that disabled children and adults will continue to enjoy the
benefits of our special facilities.
'You are
not treated with kid gloves at The Diamond – out in the community some people
try and
‘wrap you in cotton wool’
The Diamond
Centre's success hinges on its excellent team of volunteer instructors and helpers
- without them we could not operate. In 2000 we won the Sport England Volunteer
Investment Programme Award - an award for excellence in training, organising,
retaining and rewarding volunteers.
I
am looking forward to riding in the National Dressage Championships being held
at Hartpury College in Gloucester and representing the Diamond. My hope is that
I ride to the best of my ability'
Many of our volunteers start
with no previous experience of horses or the disabled. They come from all walks
of life - and are all ages. Some help at The Diamond for a couple of hours each
week and some for a couple of days. For those who would prefer not to work with
horses, help is always needed to run the servery or maintain the gardens.
'Every
Wednesday dawns with great happiness as I look forward to my lessons. I'm greeted
by friendly welcoming people with smiles. I'm growing in confidence, as I learn
new skills - and it's fun!'
If you would like to become a volunteer at The Diamond
please call us on 020 8643 7764. E-mail: info@diamondcentre.org.uk
