Dear RDA UK volunteers and staff,

I hope you all managed to enjoy the snow a bit. To all those affected by Storm Arwen, we hope you are keeping safe and warm and know that the National Office is here to support you.

 

Reminder of COVID policies

Following recent announcements in England about the wearing of face coverings in shops and on public transport we would like to remind groups of our position. We recommend the use of face coverings if coming into close contact with others, especially for a prolonged duration but the wearing of face coverings is optional in other instances in RDA sessions. This is due to the fact that our sessions are likely to be outdoors or in well-ventilated covered spaces. Face coverings are just one of the mitigation measures that should be considered within a group’s COVID-19 risk assessment which should be reviewed regularly. Other mitigation measures may include distancing when there is no need to be closer, use of lateral flow tests and encouraging volunteers and participants to consider vaccination if appropriate. Groups may want to require the use of face coverings for those that are able if they are holding a meeting indoors where distancing of 1m cannot be adhered to (e.g. some AGMs or training in smaller spaces), and ensure the area is as well ventilated as possible. 

In Scotland, Wales and Northern Ireland, face coverings are already mandatory in indoor spaces including in sports facilities when not exercising unless there is a reasonable excuse not to do so (e.g. due to a medical condition or disability or if you are supporting individuals where a face covering would be inappropriate/ impede communication). Different countries and even local authorities class covered arenas differently and so we advise if you are unsure about the status of your covered arena you should contact your local authority. 

Further information about dealing with COVID-19 in your group is available at https://www.myrda.org.uk/runningyourgroup/road-to-restart-b/

RDA President’s Award Nominations

It has come to that time of year again when we would like you to nominate your long serving volunteers for a President’s Award. The President’s Award is our most prestigious award and is awarded for service of an exceptional nature over a period of over 30 years. Nominations close on February 7th 2022, forms to nominate can be found by the following this link https://www.myrda.org.uk/runningyourgroup/volunteer-management/rewarding-volunteers/#. All nominations need to be endorsed by your Regional Chair and sent to Faye McKenning (fmckenning@rda.org.uk or Lowlands Equestrian Centre, Old Warwick Road, Shrewley, Warwickshire, CV35 7AX)

 

Updated Green Card Volunteer Application Form

New Volunteer Resources – we have updated the Green Card, Volunteer Application Form and developed the new Getting Started booklet. Watch this video which goes through what has changed: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=m7Wa6w0pt64

 

RDA Christmas Cards

If you’re behind on your Christmas cards, RDA still have Christmas cards available to purchase here: https://www.rdashop.org.uk/

 

30 Minute Weekly Webinars
Last week I missed out putting the link in for the ‘Everything you need to know about Reserves’ webinar, so here is the link if you’d like to watch it: https://youtu.be/dNYBZQZSS68 
Our Recruitment of Volunteers After COVID webinar is available to watch here: https://youtu.be/q0CGRbgy-CA

This Weeks Webinar: Acquiring horses through the Blue Cross (Thurs 2nd Dec 7pm

A topical subject right now. Abigail Leach from the Blue Cross will be giving us a webinar on acquiring horses through the Blue Cross.

Register here: https://us02web.zoom.us/webinar/register/WN_XlXU9OdiTH6vLjGHdJ8nwQ

Next Week’s Webinar: An Introduction to the Princess Royal Coach Academy (Thurs 9th Dec 7pm)

Rebecca Heath, RDA Training and Education Senior Coordinator, will be running a webinar with the aim to give you a brief overview of the aims/vision of the Coach Academy, and an update of the routes for coaches looking to come onto the Academy. We hope to also be joined by a couple of the mentors to do a brief Q&A with.

Register here: https://us02web.zoom.us/webinar/register/WN_rfYhNbg5QlCP2AyRS5D-6g

 

Safeguarding Certificates:

Safeguarding certificates are now back in stock and we aim to have sent all outstanding certificates by the end of this week. Where more than one person from a group attended training (not necessarily on the same date) the certificates have been sent to the group contact. Otherwise, unless alternative instructions were given, it will have gone directly to the attendee. If you haven’t received yours within the next few weeks, please check with your group contact in the first instance, and then Laura at national office after that lcartwright@rda.org.uk

Thank you for your patience and we apologise again for the delay in getting the certificates sent out.

 

Best wishes,

 

Brigitta Falcini

Communications Coordinator

Riding for the Disabled Association