Life Changing Horse Therapy

The mother of a teenager from Suffolk has spoken about how national charity, Riding for the Disabled Association (RDA), has changed his life as he navigates living with brain damage.

Joshua Brooks (pictured above), aged 16, sustained brain damage at the age of two due to a rare case of chickenpox. After struggling with mobility and speech in his early years, Joshua felt increasingly isolated and faced challenges when socialising.

On a mission to support her son, Joshua’s mum, Judy, sought out an activity that suited his needs whilst granting him independence, confidence and the ability to socialise with other young people. This coupled with his passion for animals led Judy to the RDA’s life-changing work with disabled people.

The RDA is a charity run organisation that supports more than 25,000 people living with disabilities every year and relies on voluntary donations to continue its vital work.

This year, donations are set to be bolstered by leading equestrian specialist Harry Hall, which named the RDA as its exclusive charity partner for 2025, committing to raise funds to support other families like Joshua and Judy.

“When Joshua started riding he instantly became happier and calmer, feeling a huge sense of belonging and being part of a team,” said Judy.

“When he grew too tall to continue riding the ponies, we knew it was essential that he still attended the RDA and continued to build on the incredible relationships and confidence he found there.

“As a SEND parent, life can be very difficult, full of battles and often lonely. The West Suffolk RDA has given me a place where I see my child achieving, where he is content and empowered and where life makes sense.

“The RDA and horse riding aren't just hobbies, they are a lifeline for so many and funding and volunteering are imperative to keeping the RDA operating.”

As Joshua’s involvement with the charity moves away from riding, he’s now a valued volunteer and joins the team every Tuesday to help lead the horses during riding lessons, tack, untack and clean the stables.

“Joshua's experience with the RDA illustrates why we collaborate with remarkable charities each year, enabling us to support our incredible community,” said Liz Hopper, managing director at Harry Hall.

“It’s incredible to witness Joshua thrive in his volunteering role, and vital funding is essential to continue supporting the RDA's incredible services.

“At Harry Hall, we strive to make equestrianism more affordable and inclusive for everyone, and we are committed to achieving this through our services and partnerships.”

So far, Harry Hall has raised more than £5,000 for the RDA through its charity partnership, helping to support the essential services that the RDA provides. 

For more information, please visit: harryhallinsurance.com/one-club-charity-partnership or https://rda.org.uk/