young helpers scheme

Children and Young Peoples Project  8 – 12’s

Junior Youth Work and Junior Volunteers Club is available for children aged 8 – 12. 

This club has limited availability at the discretion of our funders. Anyone who is interested in applying should e-mail info@stepneybank.co.uk or call 0191 2615544 and ask for Karen Copeland. 

Both clubs offer the same experience, where children can learn what it’s like to be a volunteer before they are old enough to do it for real. 

They spend time helping on the yard, grooming the ponies, learning new skills and finding out things about the ponies.  The knowledge and skills they learn will give them the option to do the ABRS (Association of British Riding Schools) Tests which are held regularly at the stables.

The main focus though is to spend time with the ponies and have fun!

Junior Youth Work

Every Saturday  9.30 – 12.30 and 12.30 – 3.30

Only 4 half days per month per person to allow everyone to have a go.

Junior Volunteers Club

Every Tuesday               5.00 – 7.00

Alternative Thursdays    5.00 – 7.00

Only 1 session per week per person.

 * If you have any queries about booking or being in a ‘Priority Needs Area’ please email anne.brown@stepneybank.co.uk

Young Volunteer’s project (12-18’s)

We have an extremely popular volunteering program for young people who want to learn more about horses and wish to spend their free time caring for them. It is a great way to make new friends, learn new skills, keep fit and active and is a fantastic addition to a CV.

Due to the potential risks involved in working with large animals all young volunteers must undergo an initial training period. This is usually a 2 hour group training session once per week for approximately 6 weeks depending on your confidence and previous experience. Once you are safe and confident you can attend any evenings after school or at the weekends and during school holidays.

Volunteers spend their time at the stables grooming the horses, cleaning their equipment, tidying the yard and leading beginner riders on lessons. Volunteers are given a ‘leader card’ once they have completed their training which enables them to record the amount of hours that they lead for and exchange these for riding lessons.   

In addition to every day volunteering tasks we also have a packed schedule of social events such as sleepovers and parties, non-equestrian activities such as weekly street dance and running sessions plus holiday trips and camps.

For those wanting to boost their CV even further we offer accreditation through the Duke of Edinburgh Award Scheme, the Association of British Riding Schools and The British Horse Society. There is accreditation suitable for all ages, levels and abilities and it is free of charge for volunteers.

 To apply to volunteer contact Sara via email sara.newson@stepneybank.co.uk