Our Structure
Our StructureShiresmill Therapy Riding Centre is a member group of Riding for the Disabled Association Incorporating Carriage Driving (www.rda.org.uk). As such we comply with all current legislation regarding Health and Safety, safeguarding children and protected adults, risk assessment, fire and accident procedures as advised by RDA UK.
We are a Scottish Charitable Incorporated Organisation, Scottish Registered Charity Number SC0 28672.
Shiresmill Therapy Riding is governed by a Board of Trustees with a maximum of 11 people. We have regular meetings throughout the year and welcome suggestions by all participants, parents, carers, and all our volunteers.
Our members are divided into two categories dependent on whether the individual wishes to become more involved in the running of the group attending the AGM and having voting rights or not.
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Chairperson
Lisa Cairns
My family and I immigrated from South Africa to Scotland in April 2022. When I arrived I barely new a sole. I was shown a FB post for Shiresmill Therapy Riding Centre looking for volunteers, so I grabbed the opportunity and have never looked back. I was so impressed with the facilities and the horses that it didn’t take me long to throw myself into this wonderful place. The other volunteers were amazing and quickly became my newfound friends.
I qualified as a horse-riding coach in 1995. I converted my coaching diploma to an international coaching diploma; I have an international passport to teach in the UK. I am now on the “Pathway to Coaching” with the Shiresmill Therapy Riding Centre. Growing up I had wonderful opportunities to pursue my passion and help a great number of children and adults pursue their dreams of becoming horse riders.
Now a new chapter starts in a new country allowing me to do what I’m passionate about. Teaching
children how to ride and to hopefully love horses and want to learn something new every time they
come to Shiresmill Therapy Centre. The children inspire me every single time.
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Secretary, Financial Administrator and Pony Sponsorship
Lynda Milne
During my career with a large insurance company in Edinburgh, I worked in IT, then Facilities, finally moving into HR as Fleet & Expenses Manager.
I retired in October 2009 and found I really wanted to do something worthwhile but outdoors. In April 2010, I came across a recruitment leaflet for Shiresmill and I’ve never looked back. It’s been an amazing journey of discovery working for a charity. There are so many elements that go into to making Shiresmill the wonderful place it is. Working with the riders and ponies is so satisfying, as is working in a group and learning new skills. I am a coach in training.
From 2011 to 2016 I was a Trustee and Secretary and it was a great experience having the opportunity to do some major fundraising for three large projects. I stood as a Trustee again in May 2017. On behalf of the Treasurer, I record and bank monies received and I also administer the group pony sponsorships.
In 2013, I became County Chairman for Fife and then in 2015, Fife merged with Edinburgh & Lothians, so I was the County Chairman for Edinburgh, Fife and the Lothians until December 2022 and a member of the Regional Committee.
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Treasurer
Jane Connor
My background is Management Accounting working in both the electronics and oil and gas industries.
In 2018 I took early retirement and saw that Shiresmill Therapy Riding Centrre were looking for volunteers. I joined the group as a Thursday volunteer and in 2019 became a trustee.
I have experience with horses having had ponies as a child and then my daughter having her own pony, which I have now inherited.
It's so rewarding to see the bond both adults and children have with the ponies and great to see the progress the riders make.
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Participant Organiser
Mary Mitchie
I started volunteering back in 2022 after finishing up from full time work. I have been around ponies all my life and love the outdoors so volunteering at Shiresmill Therapy Riding has given me so much pleasure. I've been encouraged to become a coach and I am now on the coaching pathway and also assist with the ride participant role.It's so inspiring to see the participants learn, enjoy and develop with their riding or groundwork sessions.
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Participant Organiser
Claire Lambie
My background is in Tourism & Hospitality management with over 20 years’ experience in Customer Service. I came across a Facebook post asking for evening volunteers after the pandemic and as someone who was brought up on a farm and used to ride as a child it was the perfect opportunity for me to get involved.
Since joining as a volunteer in August 2022, I have since taken on a shared role along with Mary, to be Shiresmill TRC Participant Co-ordinator, I generally deal with our existing Participants while Mary deals with all our new applications. I love to see how all our participants engage, learn and flourish during their lessons but what is even more inspiring when, as Co-ordinator, I hear all the great feedback from families and friends about how their time with the ponies has such a positive impact on their day to day lives long after their visit.
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Volunteer Coordinator
Rose Norton
My background is 45 years in Music Retail, retiring in 2019. I became aware of Shiresmill Therapy Riding Centre in 2022 when helping to organise a charity 5k trail race in Valleyfield Woods. I was so impressed by the work being carried out at the riding centre that I decided I’d like to join as a volunteer.
I found the volunteer team very welcoming and eager to share their own knowledge of horses and therapy riding. It’s so rewarding to spend time caring for the ponies and getting to know the riders who come to our sessions.
I am now enjoying my role as Volunteer Coordinator. Please do get in touch if you’d like to come along and join us.
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Safeguarding Officer and Pony Welfare Coordinator
Alison McKilligan
I have a background in Mental Health Nursing and have experience of working with young people and adults.
I joined the Group in 2015. It is something that I wished I discovered sooner as it is such a rewarding experience seeing the positive impact that horse riding has on our riders. From a personal perspective it's also a great experience spending time with our amazing horses and ponies.
Part of my role within the Group is to ensure that Safeguarding Policies and Procedures are adhered to, that all of our volunteers have PVG scheme membership, to handle any complaints or allegations of abuse should they arise, and to co-ordinate our wonderful team of volunteers.
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Social Media Coordinator
Jade Sheil
I started volunteering in 2009 as part of my Duke of Edinburgh’s Award when I was 14 years old and since then I have never looked back. I find volunteering at Shiresmill very rewarding, especially seeing the enjoyment gained from interacting with the horse and both the physical and broader health benefits gained through Therapy Riding. During my time volunteering, I have completed a degree in Biomedical Sciences, competed for the Edinburgh University Equestrian team before going on to study medicine. I currently work as a doctor in NHS South East Region.
Within the team I am a Coach and part of the social media team. This involves me helping with our group’s social media accounts by updating our website, Facebook page and Instagram account.
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Grant Coordinator
Mia Graham
I have been a part of RDA for over 10 years and joined Shiresmill in 2018 when I moved up to Scotland to study. Shiresmill is like a big family open to volunteers and participants from all backgrounds and walks of life. I find volunteering at Shiresmill extremely rewarding, enjoyable and no two days are the same! I am always amazed at the interactions and bonds that form between the horses and participants and the enjoyment they get out of each session.
When I am not at Shiresmill, I am currently completing a PhD in pest resistance management in UK horticulture. Within the Shiresmill team I am a coach and help run the social media accounts.
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Event Organiser
Eleanor Knight
When I retired as an Early Years Officer, I began volunteering at Shiresmill. The opportunity to work with ponies and children was too good to pass up! I am on the committee as the Event Organiser and along with other volunteers, organise events and fundraising throughout the year including our Fun Day in September and Christmas with the Ponies in December. It's great fun and extremely rewarding work and I would recommend anyone with a few hours to spare come along and join us at Shiresmill!