volunteer profiles

Here are a few of our long term volunteers.

We have many more; but we need many more.

Anne Brown
Anne has volunteered here for seven years, she began when her daughter Rachel started riding at Stepney, this revived a life-long passion for horses. She began by leading on the odd lesson and soon became a permanent fixture on the yard! We persuaded her to join our Management Committee four years ago and she has just been re-elected. Her main focus has been to help make riding more accessible to riders with disabilities and she has a regular group of riders who now enjoy riding with her support. Anne is working towards BHS exams which she hopes will enable her to be a more useful volunteer as well as help her to achieve her own personal goal of working full time with horses.

Sarah Boer
Sarah is 16 years old and has been volunteering and riding at Stepney for 7 years. "I really enjoy it" she says, "the best thing about volunteering here is that is gives me the chance to work around horses and improve my skills in horse care and riding. When I volunteer I mostly help care for the horses but I also help by leading younger, less experienced riders in their lessons."

Sarah is now part of a scholarship scheme which means that in return for providing staff with support at peak times the Stables will provide her with the training and support to enable Sarah to take her BHS exams. Following the sixth form Sarah would like to go to college and study Equine Management.

Dennis Mason
Dennis is a retired construction worker who has volunteered here for just over 1 year. Dennis had worked with horses when he was younger and following an appeal on Radio Newcastle decided this was his chance to rekindle his love for horses.

Dennis volunteers 5 days a week and is invaluable to staff for his quite manner around the horses and his speed at mucking out! He has also built up a special relationship with David, an adult with special needs who rides out with Dennis twice a week and comes rain, hail or shine he enjoys his riding so much.