Local donkey riding charity appeals for volunteers (From Smallholder)

Local donkey riding charity appeals for volunteers

8:40am Tuesday 4th October 2011 in Equine

A Belfast charity has launched an appeal to find more volunteers to help support its work, providing donkey therapy to children with special needs and nursing home residents throughout County Antrim.

The Elisabeth Svendsen Trust (EST) in Belfast provides donkey riding therapy to children from across the province and desperately needs more volunteers to help support its work. The centre provides riding therapy sessions that help children with special educational needs and disabilities develop confidence and riding skills and helps those with physical disabilities to develop their strength, balance and coordination.

The charity also makes visits to local residential and nursing homes each year and relies on the help of volunteers to carry out a wide range of tasks, including grooming the donkeys and leading them through the corridors of the homes.

Tina Symington who runs the centre says: “The use of animals, including donkeys, as a form of therapy is widely recognised for the invaluable benefits it can bring. Volunteers have played a vital role right from the start – and without them, we just could not continue.

“We need to find more volunteers who would like to assist with our Outreach visits and our donkey riding therapy. Volunteers must be fit, sympathetic and have a keen interest in donkeys.”

If you feel that you could volunteer for the EST charity in Belfast or you would like further information, contact the centre manager Tina Symington on 028 9332 4647 or email est.belfast@elisabethsvendsentrust.org.uk