The future of a popular Liverpool riding stables has been secured.
A partnership has been agreed between the city council and a local Riding for the Disabled (RDA) charity to continue the provision of horse riding opportunities for disabled people, benefitting their health and wellbeing.
The plans will see Beechley Riding Stables in Allerton transfer to a local charity and become Beechley Stables Riding for the Disabled Association (RDA).
Beechley Stables RDA was formerly known as the Friends of Beechley Stables which was also a registered charity.
The transfer comes as the city council faces the challenge of finding £156 million worth of savings in the next three years as a result in cuts in Central Government funding. The stables currently cost the city council £200,000 per year to operate, and now Beechley Stables RDA will take over the running of the facility which will include all operational costs, maintenance, security, utilities and insurance.
Assistant Mayor and cabinet member for leisure, Councillor Wendy Simon, said: “We need to make savings of around 50 per cent to the leisure portfolio and so it’s important we think differently about how services operate in the future.
“We are delighted to be able to work in partnership with Riding for the Disabled Association in order to continue the fantastic work that goes on at the stables.
“It’s a very popular facility within the community and helps reaffirm our commitment to encouraging people with disabilities to get active, try something different, learn new skills which will hopefully develop into a regular activity.”
The agreement with the Beechley Stables RDA will be reviewed in 2017.
Beechley Stables RDA will be responsible for raising its own funding to support operational costs. As a result, it is appealing to the public for volunteers to assist with horse care and riding lessons – no previous experience is necessary and training will be provided.
Rev Godfrey Butland, Chairman of Beechley Stables RDA said “With 25 years of experience as volunteers and trustees, we look forward to continuing to support some of the most vulnerable people in our city and growing together a vibrant organisation.”
For any enquiries regarding lessons, volunteering and fundraising, e-mail beechleyrda@hotmail.com, or call 0770 9629 310.
