Harvey Riding for the Disabled in ‘desperate’ need of volunteers as 2022 season opens

Back in the saddle for another season, a Harvey non-profit that offers horseriding for anyone with a disability is “desperate” for volunteers after facing major difficulties during the pandemic. Offering a broad scope of therapeutic activities for Harvey’s disabled community the Harvey branch of Riding for the Disabled Association Australia opened its 2022 season on Monday. Spanning from March to December this year’s season follows in the wake of a rough two years for the not-for-profit group which, as a result of the pandemic, had seen a six-month shutdown in 2020 and have been in a desperate plea for volunteers since last year. Coach and volunteer Sharlene Ward said COVID-19 has made life “very difficult” for the group, which has only seen a slight increase in its clientele over the past two years. “I do know two riders are coming (this year) but normally we can have up to 16 riders, last year we only had five and the year before we had none,” she said. “We need more volunteers, COVID-19 in 2020 shut us down completely we could not operate and shut down for six months, I couldn’t even do any training with horses because we weren’t allowed to have more than a couple of people in a group.” With activities to help promote hand-eye co-ordination, counting skills, colour recognition and socialisation Ms Ward said she has seen major increases in confidence and the physical ability of clients because of the therapeutic nature of horses. “Our programs focus on the social aspect, we always have an atmosphere that’s fun, as well as the physical aspect and help with mental health — horses have a way of comforting people,” she said. “Our target is to help those in need, we focus on the therapeutic side of things be it physical or emotional.” Operating just outside of the Harvey townsite for a total of nine years the group — run by unpaid volunteers — recently received funds and assistance from Alcoa’s Personnel Employed at Alcoa Charity Help grant which provided the group with a hay trailer, trough syphon and helmets. Ms Ward said the grants keep the whole operation running and before receiving the new equipment volunteers had to manually push hay bales out into fields. “We’re all volunteers none of us are paid, it really depends on what time people have to give, sometimes we are very shorthanded,” she said. “The syphon pump helps us clean out our troughs, in the past we’ve had to scoop out water with buckets.” Those interested in signing up for the 2022 season or are interested in volunteering can contact Harvey RDA for more information.