Sport & Physical Activity Health & Wellbeing
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RDA UK (Riding for the Disabled Association)

RDA Impact Report 2025

RDA UK (Riding for the Disabled Association) is the only major UK charity focused specifically on the health and wellbeing benefits of bringing disabled people and horses together. Founded in 1969, RDA now supports 39,000 disabled participants across 446 Groups and Approved Centres throughout the UK, with 13,700 volunteers and 1,700 coaches. An independent 2025 evaluation by Insley Consulting — drawing on 1,216 survey responses and 68 interviews — found 95% of participants feel calm and focused during sessions, 90% feel more confident, and 32% of participants aged 16+ have very high life satisfaction compared to just 5% of disabled people nationally. 11,502 awards and qualifications were completed in 2024. The charity supports people of all ages with a wide range of conditions, with growing numbers of autistic participants and those with ADHD. HRH The Princess Royal serves as RDA President.

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About

Therapeutic horse riding; carriage driving; equine-assisted activities (horse care, groundwork, Tea with a Pony, Quiet Corners); hippotherapy (with physiotherapists); National, Regional and Virtual Championships (Dressage, Showjumping, Vaulting, Carriage Driving); educational awards and accredited qualifications; 390 member groups (each an independent charity); 50+ RDA Approved Centres; coach training and CPD; safeguarding and quality assurance; regional volunteer network

Key Metrics

Key Metric 1 39,000 disabled participants supported across 446 RDA Groups and Approved Centres; 13,700 volunteers; 1,700 coaches; 2,800 equines; 27,000 participants supported by RDA Groups in 2024/25 with 10,260 new participants joining
Key Metric 2 95% of participants feel calm and focused during sessions; 90% feel more confident about themselves; 88% have better posture, balance and co-ordination; 82% feel more connected to others; 80% of parents/carers think changes wouldn't have happened without RDA
Key Metric 3 11,502 awards and qualifications completed by RDA participants in 2024; 32% of participants aged 16+ have very high life satisfaction — compared to just 5% for disabled people aged 16+ nationally (Activity Alliance 2024); independent evaluation conducted by Insley Consulting with 1,216 survey responses and 68 interviews

Key Outcomes

  • Independent evaluation (Insley Consulting, 2025) surveyed 1,216 participants, parents and carers across 378 RDA Groups — finding that 72% are better able to regulate their emotions, 71% are more independent, 68% have improved communication skills and 67% have developed new interests or aspirations
  • 63% report a long-term improvement to mood; 64% are more relaxed or settled including at school, college or work; 56% of participants aged 16+ who have taken part for 2+ years show improved life satisfaction scores; 91% of survey respondents think the emotional bond with equines is an important part of participants' experience
  • 65% of participants live with more than one condition; rising numbers of autistic participants and those with ADHD reflecting a 787% increase in autism diagnoses over 20 years; HRH The Princess Royal is RDA President and wrote the foreword to this report; founded in 1969 — nearly 60 years of operation

Geography

UK-Wide

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