Harvey Riding for the Disabled looking for new members and volunteers amid post-COVID blues

A Harvey not-for-profit group is on the lookout for new members amid concerns about the future of the organisation.

The Harvey Riding for the Disabled branch is calling out for new clients and volunteers amid a significant decline in involvement with the group since the start of the COVID-19 pandemic.

Coach and volunteer Sharlene Ward said the group was still trying to recover from the “painful” shutting down of its operations for 12 months.

“It’s the first time that we have suffered,” she said.

“Normally, we are quite viable and we have lots of clients and volunteers. COVID has definitely stopped a lot of the clients from riding.

Harvey RDA can have up to 16 clients at one time, but is currently serving only five.

“During lockdown, they had more physical issues so they couldn’t return to ride,” Ms Ward said.

“A lot of volunteers also went off to do more activities with their families and other roles.”

The organisation has also been impacted financially due to the inability to hold normal fundraising events such as sausage sizzles and raffles, as well as a reduction in grant funding.

While the revenue streams have evaporated, the organisation has continued to pay expenses related to the care of the animals.

Volunteer coordinator Brangwyne McDonald noted the circumstances facing the not-for-profit.

“We have had no fundraisers for two years, and no clients bringing in the small amount they pay to ride, so we have had no income whatsoever,” she said.

Harvey RDA provides therapeutic interactions with horses for community members, which Ms Ward said could help people with their social skills and confidence levels, physical abilities and overall health and wellbeing.

“We can help anybody, not just people with disabilities,” she said.

“We have in the past assisted those requiring rehabilitation and those with physical and mental health issues.”

Volunteers are also wanted for the organisation to help with a variety of roles ranging from administration through to property maintenance and handlers for the horses.

Linda Janczyk is one of the newest volunteers, having helped out the Harvey RDA for 12 months.

She described her volunteer work as a “godsend”.

“I’m retired and so I needed something to do and the physical exercise, fresh country air and the interaction with the herd and the training is just wonderful,” she said.

For more information about the Harvey RDA contact harveyrda@outlook.com or 0475 406 120.