Sport & Physical Activity Health & Wellbeing 2025
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.

View Report
Report snapshot
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 1
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 2
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 Metric 3
8 Views

📋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

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 1
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 2
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 Metric 3

✅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

Related reports

All Sport & Physical Activity reports →
2025 Enhanced
Fleetwood Town Community Trust

Impact Report 2024/25

20,204 total engagements; 1,621 hours of free sporting activity; 5,457 free meals provided; 468 young people engaged through Youth Hub with 1,222 hours of free youth provision
Key Metric 1
100% of Cancer Prehab participants reported improved resilience and ability to cope with treatment; 100% of Strong Start participants achieved weight reduction targets and adopted sustainable exercise routines; 90% of Cancer Prehab participants reported better mental wellbeing
Key Metric 2
Named EFL League Two Community Club Organisation of the Year 2025; won Community & Charity Organisation of the Year at Wyre Business Awards 2024; Sports College CEFA side crowned CEFA North West Champions at Wembley 2025; Veterans Community Garden awarded Level 4 Thriving certificate at North West in Bloom
Key Metric 3
80% of Football4All participants reported stronger friendships and reduced loneliness; 61% of Champions referrals have better understanding of anti-social behaviour; 90% of Early Years participants improved social interaction; 92% of teachers reported greater confidence through supported PE delivery
Sport & Physical Activity Football
View
2024
Bloomsbury Football Foundation

Impact Report 2024

83.3% of young players are physically active (60+ minutes of exercise daily) — compared to 47% national average; programmes operate in areas falling in the top 1% of highest child income deprivation nationally (IDACI)
Key Metric 1
Happiness score of 7.4 out of 10 for young people in school years 9–11 — compared to national average of 6.2; 66% of parents strongly agree their child shows increased resilience, versus 35% national average
Key Metric 2
9 in 10 young people have made friends from different national, ethnic or socioeconomic backgrounds; 8 in 10 have made new friends or found it easier to make friends since joining; financial assistance model ensures no one is turned away
Key Metric 3
83.3% of participants physically active versus 47% national average; participants from minority ethnic backgrounds — who face greatest barriers to sport — outperform national average activity levels across all ethnic groups tracked
Sport & Physical Activity Deprivation
View
2025
Accrington Stanley Community Trust

Impact Report 2025

20,187 people engaged across all community programmes; 4,012 average weekly interactions at Stanley Sports Hub; income of £1,409,075 with £187,356 surplus; 93% of expenditure on direct delivery
Key Metric 1
1,248 free Accrington Stanley shirts gifted to every Year 3 pupil in Hyndburn (9th year of initiative — over 10,000 shirts given since inception); 512 children attended holiday courses; 2,781 children in Premier League Primary Stars programme
Key Metric 2
150 veterans connected through dedicated programmes; 110 students on full-time football education programme; 463 Premier League Kicks participants; 282 children received free school holiday provision; 3,320 people aged 50+ took part in over-50s football
Key Metric 3
Stanley Sports Hub selected as proposed official base camp for FIFA Women's World Cup 2035 bid; Prime Minister Rishi Sunak visited in January 2024; Cancer Prehab described as 'a lifeline' by participants — reduces isolation and anxiety alongside physical preparation for treatment
Sport & Physical Activity Football
View