Margaret Haes Riding Centre Request (SAC Recommended)

Organisation Description

Our purpose is to empower children and adults with learning disabilities, physical and
mental health disabilities, and emotional and social challenges, to lead active, healthy and
fulfilling lives through equestrian activities. To have a positive impact on the health and wellbeing for all our riders and volunteers.

We welcome anyone from the age of 4 years to ride, including those without a disability, and
anyone over 13 years to volunteer. We have over 160 riders a week and 30 plus volunteers.

People with disabilities form more than 50% of the client base. Their riding fees are partly
subsidised by those without disabilities through our differential pricing model.

We are an approved British Horse Society Centre and part of the BHS Changing Lives Through Horses programme – alternative education.

The ambition is to develop as a well being and cultural community hub, with horses at the core.

What are they looking for?

We have an extraordinary opportunity to develop as a community hub, although face challenges.

There are opportunities to extend beyond riding and non-ridden horse experiences, to offer alternative education and therapies. That’s whilst remaining true to the charity’s overriding purpose of benefitting those with a disability and having a positive impact on health and well-being of everyone who comes in to contact with the Centre.

The ideal Trustee is able to work collaboratively with the existing management team which meets virtually, weekday evenings ever month.

Ideally has a passion for improving well being and mental health and:

• has experience of not for profit organisations that have successfully increased their financial reserves to become more resilient

• has experience of organisations that have overcome resourcing issues/limitations (eg staffing and technology) and increase their social impact

• is able to anticipate and identify opportunities to keep one step ahead of potential risk and challenges the charity may face (knowledge of the equine sector is not essential).

• is proactive in using own networks to bring in other skills and experience, including possibly health and social care

• is proactive in helping the charity build its own networks and attract corporate sponsors.