Quest RDA volunteers and rider riding for the disabled

About Quest RDA

About Quest RDA

Quest RDA was founded in April 1971 by a group of remarkable people who were determined that disability should not be a barrier to the enjoyment and therapeutic benefits of horse riding and horse interaction.

Over the years, the founding group has been followed by a small army of volunteers who have served Quest RDA and have never lost sight of the founding aspiration to improve the lives of disabled people through the opportunities offered by horse riding.

Quest RDA is an independent registered charity affiliated with the national charity ‘Riding for the Disabled Association’. Quest RDA is based in Chobham, Surrey and provides therapeutic horse riding to participants with disabilities and special needs who come from all over Surrey and surrounding counties; nearly all of our riders are children or teenagers.

Riding at Quest RDA helps our participants in a multitude of ways giving them proven physical, emotional, educational and social benefits as well as providing a ‘fun’ time derived through interaction with our horses and volunteers.

Quest RDA video riding for the disabled

Watch a short film about us

What we do

Quest enables children, adults and volunteers to have the opportunity to experience enjoyment and to achieve personal goals through participation in sporting and therapeutic equestrian programmes, in a safe and supportive environment; resulting in improved quality of life.
 
Quest is a member group of the Riding for the Disabled Association (RDA). This means that Quest’s activities meet with the high standards required by the RDA.

How you can help

GET INVOLVED

Volunteers are the beating heart of our organisation …

WAYS TO DONATE

As a charity we rely totally on on donations and we could not continue without support from …

ACTIVITIES

Quest RDA offers a variety of equestrian activities for all ages, disabilities and special needs.

The benefits

Horse riding is an extremely beneficial form of therapy for adults and children with a multitude of disabilities and special needs. It helps in many ways, such as giving physical, emotional, educational and social benefits to all of the participants. There are 6 key areas where change has been proven in those that participate:

  • Communication
  • Confidence
  • Enjoyment
  • Relationships
  • Physical improvement
  • Horsemanship

Our Values

Quest enables children, adults and volunteers to have the opportunity to experience enjoyment and to achieve personal goals through participation in sporting and therapeutic equestrian programmes, in a safe and supportive environment; resulting in improved quality of life.

~  Community and Friendship

~  Honesty and Integrity

~  Equal Opportunity

~  Respect

~  Safety

Focusing on needs – listening to the needs of our riders, carers, volunteers and schools.

Quality service/support – continually to strive to improve the quality of the service we deliver to our participants.

Skilled coaches and volunteers – attracting, developing and retaining highly skilled and dedicated people, for example, by encouraging volunteers to participate in the RDA community volunteering qualification. Involvement with RDA research tracking the changes in a rider over a four-month period.

Resource efficiency – using our resources efficiently to the greatest benefit for our participants.

Community and friendship – fostering growth, belonging and friendship amongst Quest, Laris Farm and our South East Region RDA. As an organisation we must encourage respect for each other’s opinions, and at the end agree to come to a level of compromise.

Demonstrating a collaborative approach.

Increased Awareness – conducting strong PR and awareness campaigns to broaden the local community’s awareness of Quest’s work. For example, the sponsored ride and fundraising events.

Transparency and Accountability – being open and consulting within Quest, Laris Farm and South East RDA. Demonstrating a collaborative approach.

Participating Nationally – maintaining close relationships with South East RDA and National RDA

Quest RDA Volunteer rider and awards 1
Quest RDA Volunteer coach horse
Quest RDA riding for the disabled
Quest RDA coach horse rider
volunteers
Quest RDA horse parent and rider