Ride High is a registered children’s charity based in Loughton, in the heart of Milton Keynes, with the mission to transform the lives of vulnerable and disadvantaged children.
Ride High plays an important role in the community, supporting young people facing challenges such as poverty, neglect, abuse and poor mental health. Through its unique programme, children have the opportunity to learn to ride and care for horses while also participating in clubroom sessions designed to develop personal and life skills. These activities help children grow in self-confidence, build positive relationships, and become happier individuals.
As Ride High is free for children, the charity relies heavily on the support of the local community. With 120 children attending each week, volunteers are essential to ensuring the service can continue. As 2025 approaches, Ride High is calling for individuals who are willing to donate a couple of hours of their time, each week, to support sessions with the children. Volunteering is not only a meaningful way to give back but also an opportunity to experience personal growth.
Charlotte Walters from Avail Financial Planning is one of Ride High’s dedicated volunteers and has been with the charity for two years now. She supports the children in their riding and clubroom sessions every Wednesday.
She said:
“Since starting my volunteer position at Ride High two years ago, I feel that I have learnt as much as the children possibly have. It has been incredible to be able to help and support the children in the sessions with the horses (even though from outset I was petrified myself) and to see the groups go from strength to strength. I feel like the things that the children manage to accomplish and the fears that they overcome genuinely give me a sense of empowerment that I can implement into my home and working life too.
“The way I see it is, if the children can do it, so can I! My time at Ride High has been very grounding but also very rewarding. In addition to the weekly sessions i have also joined the first Ride High Charity Ball sub-committee which is super fun. I am really enjoying the conversations that I am able to have, spreading awareness amongst businesses and personal contacts and encouraging them to get involved and support Ride High too.”
In 2023, Ride High’s volunteers donated over 3,300 hours of their time supporting the charity with its activities. Beyond supporting the children, volunteering offers great personal benefits; for example 84% of Ride High’s volunteers said they saw improvements in their own mental health and well-being while volunteering with the charity.
The start of a new year is a perfect time to embrace meaningful change. By volunteering with Ride High in 2025, you can make a profound impact on the lives of children in the community while gaining valuable skills and forming new relationships. The Ride High team of staff and volunteers are friendly and supportive and look forward to welcoming you.
For more information about volunteering for Ride High contact admin@ridehigh.org or visit www.ridehigh.org/volunteer