From waiting to belonging: the appeal to clear a 1,000-person waitlist

More than 1,000 Victorians with disability are waiting for a place in Riding for the Disabled programs. An end-of-financial-year appeal is hoping to change that — and the clock is ticking.

For more than 1,000 Victorians living with disability, a place in a Riding for the Disabled program is something they are still waiting for. 

Through its “Waiting to Belong” campaign, RDAV is aiming to raise $300,000 by 30 June. More than $120,000 has been raised so far, but the organisation says strong community and corporate support is still needed to clear waiting lists that keep growing.

More than a horse ride

For over 50 years, RDAV has supported children and adults aged from three to 65 living with physical, intellectual, sensory and psychosocial disabilities. Today, its programs reach more than 600 participants across 33 volunteer-run centres, supported by over 1,200 volunteers and 200 horses.

The programs are equine-assisted activities, and research continues to show their benefits: improvements in confidence, emotional wellbeing, balance, coordination and social connection. For families, they can also mean a real break from isolation.

Unlike many disability service providers, RDAV receives no ongoing operational funding from government. It relies on volunteers, donations and sponsorship to deliver its programs safely.

What it means for one family

One RDAV parent described the program’s impact on her daughter as transformative — joy and hard work, side by side.

“She’s working her core, she’s improving her balance, her posture, she’s having to concentrate, she’s working on her sensory issues because she’s out in the elements on a horse,” she said. “And it’s something that brings her great, great joy. She looks forward to it every week.”

It is that combination, well-being alongside genuine physical and emotional development, that RDAV President Tanya Twaits says keeps families coming back.

“For many participants and families, what happens at RDAV each week is genuinely life-changing,” Ms Twaits said. “But right now, too many Victorians are still waiting for that opportunity.”

How to help before 30 June

Funds raised will go towards expanding participant access, horse welfare, volunteer training, improved accessibility and adaptive equipment across RDAV’s centres.

“Every donation, every sponsorship and every story shared helps move someone from waiting to belonging,” Ms Twaits said.

Donations can be made through the RDAV website.