Sidewalker - Te Aroha

Te Aroha

Side Walkers – Riding for the Disabled
At Riding for the Disabled, our purpose is simple. We use the power of horses to make a difference in people’s lives. For children and adults living with a disability, riding can build confidence, improve health and wellbeing, and open up new ways to join in everyday life. The changes we see might be big or small, but every single one matters.

To make this happen, we need caring people from our community to walk alongside our riders. That is where side walkers come in.

Side walkers are the people who bring comfort, encouragement, and safety to each ride. You will be there to steady a rider, cheer them on as they try something new, and share in the smiles when they achieve a goal.

Some of the ways you will support our riders include:

  • Helping get equipment ready before sessions
  • Walking beside the horse to support balance and safety
  • Chatting with and encouraging your rider
  • Sharing in the fun, pride, and joy of each session

You do not need any horse experience, just a willingness to help and a friendly, supportive spirit. You will also be joining a welcoming team of locals who support each other and share plenty of laughs along the way.

Whether you are from Te Aroha or a short drive from Morrinsville, Matamata, or Paeroa, this is a chance to give back to your community in a really special way. By giving a little of your time, you will not only change someone else’s day, you will find the experience changes you too. We would love to welcome you. Could you be the one to walk beside a rider and help make their journey possible?

Requirements:
  • Excited to help bring joy, confidence, and a sense of achievement into someone’s life
  • Feel comfortable around horses and enjoy spending time with our riders
  • Friendly, caring, and encouraging, with a positive attitude
  • Enjoy being part of a supportive, welcoming team
  • Have a reasonable level of fitness and stamina for walking alongside riders
  • Patient, reliable, and mindful of safety at all times
  • Able to communicate kindly and clearly with riders, families, staff, and other volunteers
  • Open and adaptable to meet the needs of each rider
  • Respectful of riders’ privacy, dignity, and individual abilities

A Police background check is required for this role.

Time commitment:
  • Sessions run on Mondays, Wednesdays, and Fridays during school terms
  • Each session is from 8.30am to 12.30pm
  • Ideally, volunteers can help on a weekly basis
  • Every volunteer makes a real difference — without your support, these sessions would have to be cancelled, and our riders would miss out on the joy, confidence, and progress they gain from each ride

Getting started:
The first step is to express your interest by filling out the form below. We will then put you in touch directly with the organisation for more information on the role and how to proceed.

Ref: 2227


Apply for this role:

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Other information (optional):
In applying for this position I confirm that I have read the requirements of the position and believe I have the skills and attributes required to carry out this role safely and effectively.