RDA Centre in Cleveland Ltd (Unicorn Centre)

Who we are

The Unicorn Centre, a registered charity, is a purpose built riding for the disabled facility which offers riding therapy and learning and training opportunities for disabled adults and children from the Tees Valley area each week.  Opening in 1998, the Centre is an established part of the local community, with a strong contingent of local volunteers who assist with riding lessons each week.  

The Unicorn Centre’s mission is to improve the lives of disabled people through the medium of horses. 

The Centre works across the spectrum of disabilities, age range, social status and environments. Our focus is to ensure that each individual is given the chance to derive a direct therapeutic benefit and the opportunity to achieve their full potential, whether that be sitting with support astride a pony and riding down one side of the arena or competing at Paralympic dressage level. 

The Unicorn Centre is a member group of the national Riding for the Disabled Association (RDA), (although is autonomous in its own right as a separate, independent, registered charity) and as such shares three principal objectives;

• Developing and supporting opportunities for therapy

• Developing and supporting opportunities for achievement

• Enabling physical activity and enjoyment

The Unicorn Centre gives all its riders the opportunity to reach therapeutic goals and personal ambitions, to develop life skills and often to combat social isolation. Riders are also encouraged to develop a caring attitude and to connect with our wonderful and specially trained horses and ponies, without whom the Centre could not deliver its valuable service.

The Unicorn Centre has six core values, which underpin all our activities:

• To provide a high quality service in all it does

• To value the input of people at all levels and to be positive about their achievements – whether as a rider, volunteer or staff member

• To emphasise the importance of training and achievement for all riders, volunteers and staff members

• To value the input of participants in deciding its future

• To be accessible to all – whether as a rider or as a volunteer

• To be professionally run, communicating openly at all levels and to be financially transparent

The Centre receives no core funding, and relies entirely on lessons, hiring and training fees, fundraising, donations and grants to cover all costs. Approximately £300,000 per year is required to maintain the existing levels of operation.